Even among us there are things worse than death.

Almah would rather die by the sacrificial knife than linger on with a broken heart." "Oh no," said Layelah, sweetly; "she will rejoice that you are safe.
Do you not see that while you are together death is inevitable, but if you separate you may both live and be happy ?" "But she will think me dead," said I, as a new idea occurred.

"She will think that some accident has befallen me." "Oh no, she won't," said Layelah; "she will think that you have gone off with me." "Then that will be worse, and I would rather die, and have her die with me, than live and have her think me false." "You are very, very obstinate," said Layelah, sweetly.
I made no reply.

During this conversation I had been too intent upon Layelah's words to notice the athalebs before me; but now as I looked up I saw that we had fallen far behind, and that Layelah had headed our athaleb in a new direction.

Upon this I once more snatched the reins from her, and tried to return to our former course.