Angels and Women (1924)

154 ANGELS AND WOMENdestroy the life of Satanas, by fire and flood,by steel and poison. His body is impervious,his spirit-forged weapons irresistible. Thepower and grandeur of the Darvands, naytheir very existence, depends upon the willof the Devas. Therefore they yield outwardobedience, while within smoulder fires ofhatred and rebellion."By this time we reached the Palace.Minerva embraced me affectionately at parting,and when I said, according to custom,"God be with you," to my surprise she addeddevoutly----"May it be so to the end."As I entered my apartment, the voice ofSamoula summoned me to her chamber.She was surrounded by admiring slavesand tire-women, who were displaying forher inspection and choice, elegant costumesdesigned for the coronation. Sheasked my approval of a robe so glitteringand transparent that it might have beenformed of woven sunbeams, and a veil ofsimilar texture, embroidered with minute