A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille

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of my race--and the fear that I had of acting against my own
principles. "Besides," I added, "I'm afraid it would make you
unhappy."
"Oh no," said Layelah, briskly; "on the contrary, it would make me
very happy indeed."
I began to be more and more aghast at this tremendous frankness, and
was utterly at a loss what to say.
"My father," continued Layelah, "is different from the other Kosekin,
and so am I. I seek requital for love, and do not think it an evil."
A sudden thought now suggested itself, and I caught at it as a last
resort.
"You have," said I, "some lover among the Kosekin. Why do you not
marry him?"
Layelah smiled.
"I have no lover that I love," said she, "among the Kosekin."
My feeble effort was thus a miserable failure. I was about saying
something concerning the Kosekin alphabet or something else of an
equally appropriate nature, when she prevented me.
"Atam-or," said she, in a low voice.
"Layelah," said I, with my mind full of confusion.
"I love you!"
She sat looking at me with her beautiful face all aglow her dark eyes
fixed on mine with an intense and eager gaze. I looked at her and said
not one single word. Layelah was the first to break the awkward
silence.
"You love Almah, Atam-or; but say, do you not love me? You smile at
me, you meet me always when I come with warm greetings, and you seem
to enjoy yourself in my society. Say, Atam-or, do you not love me?"