I'm engaged to be married to Almah, and I'm not going to give her up." "Oh, but she gives you up, you know," said Layelah, quietly.
"Well, but I'm not going to be given up." "Why, how unreasonable you are, you foolish boy!" said Layelah, in her most caressing manner.

"You have nothing at all to do with it." At this I was in fresh despair, and then a new thought came, which I seized upon.
"See here," said I, "why can't I marry both of you?
I'm engaged to Almah, and I love her better than all the world.

Let me marry her and you too." At this Layelah laughed long and merrily.

Peal after peal of laughter, musical and most merry, burst from her.

It was contagious; I could not help joining in, and so we both sat laughing.