THE CEREMONY OF SEPARATION Separated from Almah, surrounded by foul fiends, in darkness and the shadow of death, with the baleful prospect of the Mista Kosek, it was mine to endure the bitterest anguish and despair; and in me these feelings were all the worse from the thought that Almah was in a similar state, and was enduring equal woes.

All that I suffered in my present condition she too was suffering--and from this there was no possibility of escape.

Perhaps her surroundings were even worse, and her sufferings keener; for who could tell what these people might inflict in their strange and perverted impulses?
Many joms passed, and there was only one thing that sustained me--the hope of seeing Almah yet again, though it were but for a moment.

That hope, however, was but faint.

There was no escape.