Angels and Women (1924)

116 ANGELS AND WOMENof the queen. I am Japheth, son of theProphet. Hopelessly separated are we byworldly distinctions, and yet the rapt purityof your face, the simplicity of your dress, theindifference or distaste you manifest to thepageantry within, give token that by sympathywe are not divided."Do you ask why I am voluntarily inscenes where you appear only by compulsion?Know, then, 0 beautiful stranger--forgive my boldness--that I saw you in thechariot of Satanas on the evening of yourentrance into Balonia, and the hope of meetingyou once more led me to enter the Palace,and join an assembly whose characterand amusement my soul abhors. I dared nothope to hold converse with you, and nowthat I have the opportunity, with throngingthoughts and desires I await your favor."Hearing this, my heart revived, and I answered-"0son of the Prophet, permit meto make known my brief history. You calledmy name rightly--Aloma--and I am the