A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille

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what was more, she frankly informed me that she regarded me as a
Heaven-sent teacher--as one who in this darkness could tell her of the
nations of light--who could instruct her in the wisdom of other and
greater races, and help her to accomplish her grand designs.
As for Almah, she seemed quite beneath the notice of the aspiring
Layelah. She never noticed her, she never spoke of her, and she always
made her visits to me after Almah had gone.
CHAPTER XX
THE DARK MAIDEN LAYELAH
Layelah at length began to make pointed remarks about Almah.
"She loves you," said she, "and you love her. How is it that you do
not give each other up?"
"I would die rather than give up Almah," said I.
Layelah smiled. "That sounds strange to the Kosekin," said she, "for
here to give up your love and to die are both esteemed the greatest
possible blessings. But Almah should give you up. It is the women with
us who make the beginning. Women generally fall in love first, and it
is expected that they will tell their love first. The delicacy of a
woman's feelings makes this natural, for if a man tells his love to a
woman who does not love him, it shocks her modesty; while if a woman
tells a man, he has no modesty to shock."
"That is strange," said I; "but suppose the man does not love the
woman?"
"Why, no woman wants to be loved; she only wants to love."
At this I felt somewhat bewildered.
"That," said Layelah, "is unrequited love, which is the chief blessing
here, though for my part I am a philosopher, and would wish when I
love to be loved in return."