and foot, after the manner of the more distinguished
Asirin; you may also be blindfolded if you wish it. I might even
promise, after we return to the amir, to keep you confined in utter
darkness, with barely sufficient food to keep you alive until the
time of the sacrifice; in short, there is no blessing known among
the Kosekin that I will not give so long as it is in my power. And
so, beloved Almah," continued Layelah, "you have every reason for
happiness; you have all the highest blessings known among the Kosekin:
separation from your lover, poverty, want, darkness; and, finally, the
prospect of inevitable death ever before you as the crowning glory of
your lot."

These words seemed to the Kosekin the very excess of magnanimity, and
involuntary murmurs of admiration escaped them; although it is just
possible that they murmured at the greatness of the favor that was
offered. But to me it sounded like fiendish mockery, and to Almah it
sounded the same; for a groan escaped her, her fortitude gave way, she
sank on her knees, buried her head in her hands, and wept.

"Almah," cried I, in a fury, "we will not go back--we will not be
separated! I will destroy all the athalebs, and we shall all perish
here together. At least, you and I will not be separated."

At this Almah started up.

"No, no," said she--"no; let us go back. Here we have nothing but
death."

"But we have death also at the amir, and a more terrible one," said I.

"If you kill the athalebs," said Layelah, "I will give Almah the
blessing of death."

At this I recoiled in horror, and my resolution again gave way.

"You have some mysterious power of conferring death," continued
Layelah, "with what Almah calls your sepet-ram; but do not kill the
athalebs, for it will do you no good. Almah would then receive the
blessing of death. My followers, these noble Kosekin, would rejoice in
thus gaining exile and death on Magones. As for myself, it would be my
highest happiness to be here alone with you. With you I should live
for a few sweet joms, and with you I should die; so go on--kill the
athalebs if you wish."

"Do not!" cried Almah--"do not! There is no hope. We are their
prisoners, and our only hope is in submission."

Upon this all further thought of resistance left me, and I stood in
silence, stolidly waiting for their action. As I looked around I
noticed a movement near the jantannin, and saw several athalebs
there, which were devouring its flesh. I