And so she went further than her father, and adopted my extreme views when he shrank back, and dared more unflinchingly the extremest rigors of the national law, and all that the Kosekin could inflict in the way of wealth, luxury, supreme command, palatial abodes, vast retinues of slaves, and the immense degradation of the queenly office.
I spoke to her in a warning voice about her rashness.
"Oh," said she, "I have counted the cost, and am ready to accept all that they can inflict.

I embrace the good cause, and will not give it up--no, not even if they could increase my wealth a thousand-fold, and sentence me to live a hundred seasons.

I can bear their utmost inflictions of wealth, power, magnificence; I could even bear being condemned to live forever in the light.

Oh, my friend, it is the conviction of right and the support of conscience that strengthens one to bear the greatest evils that man can inflict." From these words it was evident to me that Layelah was a true child of the Kosekin; for though she was of advanced sentiments she still used the language of her people, and spoke of the punishments of the law as though they were punishments in reality.

Now, to me and to Almah these so-called punishments seemed rewards.
It was impossible for me to avoid feeling a very strong regard for this enthusiastic and beautiful girl; all the more, indeed, because she evinced such an undisguised admiration for me.