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Updated: May 23, 2025
He shook his head despondently; he could not believe that such views as mine could ever be attained to among the Kosekin. But Layelah was bolder, and with all a woman's impetuosity grasped at my fullest meaning and held it firm. "He is right," said Layelah "the heaven-born Atam-or. He shall be our teacher.
The Chief Pauper stared at me in horror. "You are a strange being, Atam-or," said he, gently. "Sometimes I think you mad. I can only say that such a request is horrible to me beyond all words. Such degradation and cruelty to the gentle and virtuous Almah is outrageous and forever impossible; no, we will not deprive her of a single one of those blessings which she now enjoys."
"Sepet-ram!" said Layelah; "what do you mean by that? If your sepet-ram has any power, do not try to use it, Atam-or, or else I shall have to order my followers to give to Almah the blessing of death." At this my rifle was lowered: the whole truth flashed upon me, and I saw, too, the madness of resistance.
"Be firm," she said, "or we are both lost. Be firm, Atam-or!" "I must go," said I, and I tried to rise. "Don't move," she said, "for your life! We are lost if you move. Keep still restrain yourself shut your eyes." I tried to do so, but could not. There was a horrible fascination about the scene which forced me to look and see all.
Oh, Atam-or, I shall lose you now; for never, never, never again will you have one thought of love for your poor Layelah!" With these words she clung sobbing to me. For my part I do not remember what I said to soothe her, for the sight above was so amazing that it took up all my attention. The aurora shone bright, and in the sky I saw two vast objects wheeling and circling, as if about to descend.
At this question the Chief Pauper looked at me with one of those hungry glances of his, which showed how he thirsted for my blood, and he smiled the smile of an evil fiend. "Why do we sacrifice you, Atam-or?" he replied. "Why, because we honor you both, and love you both so dearly that we are eager to give you the greatest of all blessings, and to deny you nothing that is in our power to bestow."
She would be compelled to live longer, until some other lover should appear. Now, by going with me to the land of the Orin, you will save Almah's life and as for Almah, why, she will be happy and dear papa is quite willing to marry her. You must see, therefore, dear Atam-or, that my plan is the very best that can be thought of for all of us, and above all for Almah."
Here again I was overwhelmed, but I still persisted in my effort. "Dear Layelah," said I, "I love Almah most dearly and most tenderly." "Oh, Atam-or, why speak of that? I know it well. And so by our Kosekin law you give her up; among us, lovers never marry.
I see we cannot understand one another." "No," said the Kohen, musingly, as he looked at me. "No, it seems not; but tell me, Atam-or, is it possible that you really fear death that you really love life?" "Fear death! love life!" I cried. "Who does not? Who can help it? Why do you ask me that?" The Kohen clasped his hands in amazement.
Almah, you ought to give up Atam-or, since you love him." Almah looked confused, and made some reply to the effect that she belonged to a different race with different customs. "But you should follow our customs. You are one of us now. You can easily find another who will take him." Almah threw a piteous glance at me and said nothing. "I," said Layelah, "will take him."
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