Angels and Women (1924)

126 ANGELS AND WOMENHer excitement was painful as she returnedand searched the apartment wildly.Long habit had again mastered an awakeningconscience.With profound pity I took her hand andsaid: "Minerva, that for which you searchis not here. The Homa and your enchantmentsare alike dangerous. They do notheal, but poison the soul. But I have a cordialfor a mind diseased. Listen, and I willtell you of this medicament. Minerva, theDevas are cruel, unrelenting, full of hate.The Almighty is compassionate and forgiving;the restorative to virtue and happinessis belief in His mercy.""But I cannot hope, and for me there isno mercy; you know not, simple one, theextent of my wickedness. I must drink theHoma, it stupefies the brain; and yet, whenits power is over, I wake to greater horror.Whither can I turn.7 Only to death ?"After a moment of silence she exclaimed:"What day is this,7 The day when the