Angels and Women (1924)

68 ANGELS AND WOMENLay aside these unseasonable fears, andcome with me to the banquet."Again I answered---could I say aught else ?---"Nay, my mother."With a sigh Samoula retired; and when Ihad partaken of the simple food Aldethbrought for my repast, I commended myselfto God, and afterward slept in peace, thoughat intervals during the night I was awakenedby unusual noises in the forest--the crash offalling trees and the sound of mechanical implements.My first consciousness in the morning wasself-reproach that I had left my mother andAldeth so long alone with our dangerousguests. Robed more closely than usual, witha fold of linen over my head, I opened thedoor of my room, and saw at the farther extremityof the avenue the majestic form ofSatanas standing before Samoula, who satwith her face averted from his gaze.As I slowly walked toward them, I observed,more perfectly than ever, the mag-