Angels and Women (1924)

i64 ANGELS AND WOMENrestless, but spoke not, and upon myself filialawe imposed reluctant silence. An impassablebarrier seemed to have arisen betweenus; confidence was at an end.From this time on various afflictions assailedus. Many of our cattle died; treeswere set on fire; the date-bearing palms werethrown down; the river rose and flooded thewarden; destruction raged over the Hermitage.Our food and garments became mildewed;we drew near the gates of death. Icould not but connect these misfortunes withthe power of the Devas, who I knew weremalignant, as they were grand and beautiful.One memorable evening, after a day ofgloom and disaster, a sudden light pervadedthe scene---a peculiar brilliance which I buttoo well understood. Like the scintillationof stars, Satanas and Hesperus appeared beforeus; their voices were sweet and theirwords gentle. Following" them was a troopof strange looking beings, men of low fore-