I have known it--dreaded it--tried to fight against it.

But it was of no use.
Oh, Atam-or, our love means death; for the very fact that you love me and I love you seals our doom!" "Our doom?
What doom ?" "The sacrifice!" exclaimed Almah, with another shudder.

In her voice and look there was a terrible meaning, which I could not fail to take.
I understood it now, and my blood curdled in my veins.

Almah clung to me despairingly.
"Do not leave me!" she cried--"do not leave me! I have no one but you.
The sacrifice, the sacrifice! It is our doom the great sacrifice--at the end of the dark season.

It is at the amir.