Angels and Women (1924)

GREATER CHANGE 157of Hesperus. There was a rustle, a slightupward motion, and the form vanished. Myheart beat thick with alarm, and my cheeksgrew hot with shame. Hesperus, wishing tosay farewell before his perilous undertaking,had come to the tower. He had seen me disrobed,had heard my prayer! The sigh--was it from wounded love or penitentsorrow?Far too anxious and agitated for sleep, Iwrapped myself in a mantle and went outupon the balcony. Presently I heard voicesbelow in earnest conversation. I could notsee the speakers, but I recognized the nowfamiliar voice of Hesperus. "I can servethee no longer; though this decision is madeat a moment when peril stimulates courage,thou wilt not accuse me of cowardice.""Can a Deva know madness ?" asked Satanas,in a tone of incredulity. "I but returnto sanity and duty," answered theother. "The Almighty Law is eternal fitness:it cannot be broken. We are not