The Kohen in particular was devoted to her.
He was absent-minded, silent, and full of care.

On the whole, I felt more than ever puzzled, and less able than ever to understand these people.

I loved them, yet loathed them; for the Kohen I had at once affection and horror.

He looked like an anxious father, full of tenderest love for a sick child--full also of delicate sympathy with me; and yet I knew all the time that he was quite capable of plunging the sacrificial knife in Almah's heart and of eating her afterward.
But my own thoughts were all of Almah.

I learned how dear she was.
With her the brightness of life had passed; without her existence would be intolerable.