Angels and Women (1924)

92 ANGELS AND WOMENgrief of such a being. He constrained me byhis woe, he entranced me by the melancholyof his eyes; again I felt the strange magnetismthat had so nearly overpowered me atthe Hermitage, and I cried out in an agonyof distracting emotion---"O God, deliver mefrom the power of this Spirit l Save himfrom himself; save him from my love! Whyare the creatures of God so tempted?" Thena voice fell from Heaven, saying, "To provethem and to show forth God’s great Power !"With that, strength returned, and I raisedmy head. The Deva had left me.Then I retired to my chamber and sat inanxious fear, far into the night. At length,reassured by continued quiet, the tumult inmy breast was hushed, and I composed myselfto record the adventures of this fatefuljourney. A weight had fallen upon me, myheart is as lead, my steps falter, a discordenters life, harsh, intolerable. Yet listen,doubting Aloma; does not a soft voicewhisper, "The jarring symphony, the chord