cation with me, or at least of seeing me again.
The thought of Layelah was the only thing that interfered with this
belief, for it might be her doings after all; yet the fact remained
that I was to see Almah, and in this I rejoiced with exceeding great
joy.

The appointed jom came. A procession was formed of the paupers. The
chief did not go, as he never left the cavern except on the great
sacrifices and Mista Koseks. The door was opened, and I accompanied
the procession. On our way all was dark, and after traversing many
passages we came at length to the door of a cavern as gloomy as the
one I had left. On entering this I found all dark and drear; and a
little distance before me there was a light burning, around which was
gathered a group of hags hideous beyond all expression. But these I
scarcely noticed; for there amid them, all pale and wan, with her face
now lighted up with joyous and eager expectation, I saw my darling--my
Almah! I caught her in my arms, and for a few moments neither of us
spoke a word. She sobbed upon my breast, but I knew that the tears
which she shed were tears of joy. Nor was our joy checked by the
thought that it was to be so short-lived. It was enough at that moment
that we saw one another--enough that we were in one another's arms;
and so we mingled our tears, and shared one common rapture. And sweet
it was--sweet beyond all expression--the sweetest moment in all my
life; for it had come in the midst of the drear desolation of my heart
and the black despair. It was like a flash of lightning in the intense
darkness, short and sudden indeed, yet still intense while it lasted,
and in an instant filling all with its glow.

"I did this," murmured Almah, "to see you and to save you."

"Save me!" I repeated.

"Yes," said she. "I have seen Layelah. She told me that there is this
chance and this one only to save you. I determined to try it. I cannot
bear to think of you at the sacrifice--and for love of me meeting your
death--for I would die to save you, Atam-or."

I pressed her closer in my arms.

"Oh, Almah," said I, "I would die to save you! and if this ceremony
will save you I will go through with it, and accept my fate whatever
it may be."

We were now interrupted.

The women--the hags of horror--the shriek-like ones, as I may call
them, or the fiend-like, the female fiends, the foul ones--they were
all around us; and one there was who looked so exactly like the
nightmare hag of the