Angels and Women (1924)

80 ANGELS AND WOMENsome hours the scenery and surroundingswere familiar: dense forest, over archingtrees, and blossoms like those of the Hermitage.Presently we emerged into a vastplain, where no trees obstructed the lightalong our pathway. At a distance were citiesglimmering in the light. In the near cornfieldsand vineyards laborers toiled at theirtasks and looked up with stealthy glance asour train passed by.Night was now approaching. The journeywhich had occupied Allimades four dayshad been performed by the fleet elephantsin a few hours. We were drawing nearBalonia. During our progress the voices ofSatanas and Samoula were often heard inearnest conversation, but with sense absorbedin our new changeful surroundings,and preoccupied with conjecture as to an inscrutablefuture, I gave little heed to theirdiscourse.As I seriously meditated my mind becameenlightened and many doubtful matters were