now went over to Almah and
spoke with her. We were both full of despair. It seemed as though we
might never meet again. We were to be separated now; but who could say
whether we should be permitted to see each other after leaving this
place? We had but little to say. I held her in my arms, regardless of
the presence of others; and these, seeing our emotion, at once moved
away, with the usual delicacy of the Kosekin, and followed Layelah to
the jantannin to see about the athalebs.

At last our interview was terminated. Layelah came and informed us
that all was ready for our departure. We walked sadly to the place,
and found the athalebs crouched to receive their riders. There were
four beside ours. Layelah informed me that I was to go with her, and
Almah was to go on another athaleb. I entreated her to let Almah go
with me; but she declined, saying that our athaleb could only carry
two, as he seemed fatigued, and it would not be safe to overload him
for so long a flight. I told her that Almah and I could go together on
the same athaleb; but she objected on the ground of my ignorance of
driving. And so, remonstrances and objections being alike useless, I
was compelled to yield to the arrangements that had been made. Almah
mounted on another athaleb. I mounted with Layelah, and then the great
monsters expanded their mighty wings, rose into the air, and soon were
speeding over the waters.

We went on in silence for some time. I was too despondent to say a
word, and all my thoughts turned toward Almah, who was now separated
from me--perhaps forever. The other athalebs went ahead, at long
intervals apart, flying in a straight line, while ours was last.
Layelah said nothing. She sat in front of me; her back was turned
toward me; she held in her hands the reins, which hung quite loose at
first, but after a while she drew them up, and seemed to be directing
our course. For some time I did not notice anything in particular, for
my eyes were fixed upon the athaleb immediately before us, upon which
was seated the loved form of Almah, which I could easily recognize.
But our athaleb flew slowly, and I noticed that we were falling
behind. I said this to Layelah, but she only remarked that it was
fatigued with its long journey. To this I objected that the others had
made as long a journey, and insisted that she should draw nearer. This
she at first refused to do; but at length, as I grew persistent, she
complied, or pretended to do s