ess
to marry both. It was evident that Layelah accepted it as a ludicrous
jest.

Laughter was all very well, of course; but I was serious and felt that
I ought not to part with Layelah without some better understanding,
and so I once more made an effort.

"All this," said I, in a mournful tone, "is a mere mockery. What have
I to say about love and marriage? If you loved me as you say, you
would not laugh, but weep. You forget what I am. What am I? A victim,
and doomed--doomed to a hideous fate--a fate of horror unutterable.
You cannot even begin to imagine the anguish with which I look forward
to that fate which impends over me and Almah. Marriage--idle word!
What have I to do with marriage? What has Almah? There is only one
marriage before us--the dread marriage with death! Why talk of love to
the dying? The tremendous ordeal, the sacrifice, is before us and
after that there remains the hideous Mista Kosek!"

At this Layelah sprang up, with her whole face and attitude full of
life and energy.

"I know, I know," said she, quickly; "I have arranged for all. Your
life shall be saved. Do you think that I have consented to your death?
Never! You are mine. I will save you. I will show you what we can do.
You shall escape."

"Can you really save me?" I cried.

"I can."

"What! in spite of the whole nation?"

Layelah laughed scornfully.

"I can save you," said she. "We can fly. There are other nations
beside ours. We can find some land among the Gojin where we can live
in peace. The Gojin are not like us."

"But Almah?" said I.

The face of Layelah clouded.

"I can only save you," said she.

"Then I will stay and die with Almah," said I, obstinately.

"What!" said Layelah, "do you not fear death?"

"Of course I do," said I; "but I'd rather die than lose Almah."

"But it's impossible to save both of you."

"Then leave me and save Almah," said I.

"What! would you give up your life for Almah?"

"Yes, and a thousand lives," said I.

"Why," said Layelah, "now you talk just like the Kosekin. You might as
well be one of us. You love death for the sake of Almah. Why not be
more like the Kosekin, and seek after a separation from Almah?"

Layelah was not at all offended at my declaration of love for Almah.
She uttered these words in a lively tone, and then said that it was
time for her to go.

CHAPTER XXI

THE FLYING MONSTER

I retired to bed, but could not sleep. The offer of escape filled me
w