Angels and Women (1924)

164 ANGELS AND WOMENnow overhanging the Palace. In everyblushing fold lay pearls, white and lustrous,and a veil of mist and sparkling light, securedupon her forehead by a coronet ofsapphire, covered but did not conceal thegolden hair which rippled to her feet. Hereyes were large and brilliant like stars, hercolor tinted like the flush of day, and whenshe moved, a perfume floated in the air,sweet as the breath of morn. BeautifulSamoula, incarnation of woman’s grace andloveliness, my tears fall fast for thee lWhile Hesperus, grave and silent, receivedthe orders of Satanas, I conversed with mymother apart."Aloma," she began, in gently chidingtones, "why art thou still in rustic garb, illsuitedto this festal day? Array thyselfquickly in robes of state, that thy presenceand beauty may grace our coronation." Ikissed her hand in humility, and answered,"0 my mother, verily God hath given mepower to pierce the veil of futurity; to per-i