Angels and Women (1924)

GREATER CHANGE 155coming to Balonia, I had always concealedmy head and bosom, removed the vest, andloosening my hair, suffered it to flow to myfeet. How like it is to Samoula’s! I unboundmy sandals, and for a few momentsenjoyed the repose and freedom of solitude.The Palace of Light overlooked the city, andas my chamber was in the highest tower, nointruding eye could violate its seclusion,though the latticed door where I sat wasopened wide upon the small balcony to admitthe evening air."For the moment," I exclaimed, "I amalone and safe, but oh, what danger andwrath hang over the world l I hear advancingfootsteps. The Avenger hastens, the dayof woe is at hand. How great is our exposureand peril l 0 my mother, we sleepupon a volcano; we are curtained by stormclouds;pitfalls and snares are beneath ourfeet l How shall we escape destruction? 0my God, how shall we escape ?"Then, retiring to the shadow of the chain-