As for me, I was utterly confounded, bewildered, and desperate.

I thought of my darling Almah, whom alone I loved.

It seemed at that moment as though I was not only false to her, but as if I was even endangering her life.

My only thought now was to clear up my meaning.
"Dear Layelah," said I, as I sat with her arms around me, and with my own around her slender waist, "I do not want to hurt your feelings." "Oh, Atam-or! oh, my love! never, never did I know such bliss as this." 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.