NowthatIamonthesubjectofwings，IoughtnottoomitmentionofacustomamongtheGy—eiwhichseemstomeveryprettyandtenderinthesentimentitimplies。AGywearswingshabituallywhenyetavirgin—shejoinstheAnaintheiraerialsports—sheadventuresaloneandafarintothewilderregionsofthesunlessworld：intheboldnessandheightofhersoarings，notlessthaninthegraceofhermovements，sheexcelstheoppositesex。But，fromthedayofhermarriageshewearswingsnomore，shesuspendsthemwithherownwillinghandoverthenuptialcouch，nevertoberesumedunlessthemarriagetiebeseveredbydivorceordeath。
NowwhenZee’svoiceandeyesthussoftened—andatthatsofteningIpropheticallyrecoiledandshuddered—Taee，whohadaccompaniedusinourflights，butwho，child—like，hadbeenmuchmoreamusedwithmyawkwardness，thansympathisinginmyfearsorawareofmydanger，hoveredoverus，poisedamidstspreadwings，andhearingtheendearingwordsoftheyoungGy，laughedaloud。Saidhe，"IftheTishcannotlearntheuseofwings，youmaystillbehiscompanion，Zee，foryoucansuspendyourown。"
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ChapterXXI。
Ihadforsometimeobservedinmyhost’shighlyinformedandpowerfullyproportioneddaughterthatkindlyandprotectivesentimentwhich，whetherabovetheearthorbelowit，anall—wiseProvidencehasbestoweduponthefemininedivisionofthehumanrace。ButuntilverylatelyIhadascribedittothataffectionfor’pets’whichahumanfemaleateveryageshareswithahumanchild。InowbecamepainfullyawarethatthefeelingwithwhichZeedeignedtoregardmewasdifferentfromthatwhichIhadinspiredinTaee。Butthisconvictiongavemenoneofthatcomplacentgratificationwhichthevanityofmanordinarilyconceivesfromaflatteringappreciationofhispersonalmeritsonthepartofthefairsex;onthecontrary，itinspiredmewithfear。YetofalltheGy—eiinthecommunity，ifZeewereperhapsthewisestandthestrongest，shewas，bycommonrepute，thegentlest，andshewascertainlythemostpopularlybeloved。Thedesiretoaid，tosuccour，toprotect，tocomfort，tobless，seemedtopervadeherwholebeing。ThoughthecomplicatedmiseriesthatoriginateinpenuryandguiltareunknowntothesocialsystemoftheVril—ya，still，nosagehadyetdiscoveredinvrilanagencywhichcouldbanishsorrowfromlife;andwhereveramongstherpeoplesorrowfounditsway，thereZeefollowedinthemissionofcomforter。DidsomesisterGyfailtosecuretheloveshesighedfor？Zeesoughtherout，andbroughtalltheresourcesofherlore，andalltheconsolationsofhersympathy，tobearuponagriefthatsoneedsthesolaceofaconfidant。Intherarecases，whengraveillnessseizeduponchildhoodoryouth，andthecases，lessrare，when，inthehardyandadventurousprobationofinfants，someaccident，attendedwithpainandinjuryoccurred，Zeeforsookherstudiesandhersports，andbecamethehealerandnurse。Herfavourite106flightsweretowardstheextremeboundariesofthedomainwherechildrenwerestationedonguardagainstoutbreaksofwarringforcesinnature，ortheinvasionsofdevouringanimals，sothatshemightwarnthemofanyperilwhichherknowledgedetectedorforesaw，orbeathandifanyharmhadbefallen。
Nay，evenintheexerciseofherscientificacquirementstherewasaconcurrentbenevolenceofpurposeandwill。Didshelearnanynoveltyininventionthatwouldbeusefultothepractitionerofsomespecialartorcraft？shehastenedtocommunicateandexplainit。WassomeveteransageoftheCollegeperplexedandweariedwiththetoilofanabstrusestudy？shewouldpatientlydevoteherselftohisaid，workoutdetailsforhim，sustainhisspiritswithherhopefulsmile，quickenhiswitwithherluminoussuggestion，betohim，asitwere，hisowngoodgeniusmadevisibleasthestrengthenerandinspirer。Thesametendernesssheexhibitedtotheinferiorcreatures。Ihaveoftenknownherbringhomesomesickandwoundedanimal，andtendandcherishitasamotherwouldtendandcherishherstrickenchild。ManyatimewhenIsatinthebalcony，orhanginggarden，onwhichmywindowopened，Ihavewatchedherrisingintheaironherradiantwings，andinafewmomentsgroupsofinfantsbelow，catchingsightofher，wouldsoarupwardwithjoyoussoundsofgreeting;clusteringandsportingaroundher，sothatsheseemedaverycentreofinnocentdelight。WhenIhavewalkedwithheramidsttherocksandvalleyswithoutthecity，theelk—deerwouldscentorseeherfromafar，comeboundingup，eagerforthecaressofherhand，orfollowherfootsteps，tilldismissedbysomemusicalwhisperthatthecreaturehadlearnedtocomprehend。ItisthefashionamongthevirginGy—eitowearontheirforeheadsacirclet，orcoronet，withgemsresemblingopals，arrangedinfourpointsorrayslikestars。Thesearelustrelessinordinaryuse，butiftouchedbythevrilwandtheytakeaclearlambentflame，whichilluminates，yetnotburns。Thisservesasanornamentintheirfestivities，andasalamp，if，in107theirwanderingsbeyondtheirartificiallights，theyhavetotraversethedark。Therearetimes，whenIhaveseenZee’sthoughtfulmajestyoffacelightedupbythiscrowninghalo，thatIcouldscarcelybelievehertobeacreatureofmortalbirth，andbentmyheadbeforeherasthevisionofabeingamongthecelestialorders。Butneveroncedidmyheartfeelforthisloftytypeofthenoblestwomanhoodasentimentofhumanlove。
Isitthat，amongtheraceIbelongto，man’spridesofarinfluenceshispassionsthatwomanlosestohimherspecialcharmofwomanifhefeelshertobeinallthingseminentlysuperiortohimself？Butbywhatstrangeinfatuationcouldthispeerlessdaughterofaracewhich，inthesupremacyofitspowersandthefelicityofitsconditions，rankedallotherracesinthecategoryofbarbarians，havedeignedtohonourmewithherpreference？Inpersonalqualifications，thoughIpassedforgood—lookingamongstthepeopleIcamefrom，thehandsomestofmycountrymenmighthaveseemedinsignificantandhomelybesidethegrandandserenetypeofbeautywhichcharacterisedtheaspectoftheVril—ya。
Thatnovelty，theverydifferencebetweenmyselfandthosetowhomZeewasaccustomed，mightservetobiasherfancywasprobableenough，andasthereaderwillseelater，suchacausemightsufficetoaccountforthepredilectionwithwhichIwasdistinguishedbyayoungGyscarcelyoutofherchildhood，andveryinferiorinallrespectstoZee。ButwhoeverwillconsiderthosetendercharacteristicswhichIhavejustascribedtothedaughterofAph—Lin，mayreadilyconceivethatthemaincauseofmyattractiontoherwasinherinstinctivedesiretocherish，tocomfort，toprotect，and，inprotecting，tosustainandtoexalt。Thus，whenIlookback，Iaccountfortheonlyweaknessunworthyofherloftynature，whichbowedthedaughteroftheVril—yatoawoman’saffectionforonesoinferiortoherselfaswasherfather’sguest。Butbethecausewhatitmay，theconsciousnessthatIhadinspiredsuch108affectionthrilledmewithawe—amoralaweofherveryimperfections，ofhermysteriouspowers，oftheinseparabledistinctionsbetweenherraceandmyown;andwiththatawe，I
mustconfesstomyshame，therecombinedthemorematerialandignobledreadoftheperilstowhichherpreferencewouldexposeme。
Undertheseanxiouscircumstances，fortunately，myconscienceandsenseofhonourwerefreefromreproach。Itbecameclearlymyduty，ifZee’spreferencecontinuedmanifest，tointimateittomyhost，with，ofcourse，allthedelicacywhichisevertobepreservedbyawell—bredmaninconfidingtoanotheranydegreeoffavourbywhichoneofthefairsexmaycondescendtodistinguishhim。Thus，atallevents，IshouldbefreedfromresponsibilityorsuspicionofvoluntaryparticipationinthesentimentsofZee;andthesuperiorwisdomofmyhostmightprobablysuggestsomesageextricationfrommyperilousdilemma。InthisresolveIobeyedtheordinaryinstinctofcivilisedandmoralman，who，erringthoughhebe，stillgenerallypreferstherightcourseinthosecaseswhereitisobviouslyagainsthisinclinations，hisinterests，andhissafetytoelectthewrongone。
ChapterXXII。
Asthereaderhasseen，Aph—Linhadnotfavouredmygeneralandunrestrictedintercoursewithhiscountrywomen。Thoughrelyingonmypromisetoabstainfromgivinganyinformationastothe109worldIhadleft，andstillmoreonthepromiseofthosetowhomhadbeenputthesamerequest，nottoquestionme，whichZeehadexactedfromTaee，yethedidnotfeelsurethat，ifI
wereallowedtomixwiththestrangerswhosecuriositythesightofmehadaroused，Icouldsufficientlyguardmyselfagainsttheirinquiries。WhenIwentout，therefore，itwasneveralone;Iwasalwaysaccompaniedeitherbyoneofmyhost’sfamily，ormychild—friendTaee。Bra，Aph—Lin’swife，seldomstirredbeyondthegardenswhichsurroundedthehouse，andwasfondofreadingtheancientliterature，whichcontainedsomethingofromanceandadventurenottobefoundinthewritingsofrecentages，andpresentedpicturesofalifeunfamiliartoherexperienceandinterestingtoherimagination;pictures，indeed，ofalifemoreresemblingthatwhichweleadeverydayaboveground，colouredbyoursorrows，sins，passions，andmuchtoherwhatthetalesoftheGeniiortheArabianNightsaretous。ButherloveofreadingdidnotpreventBrafromthedischargeofherdutiesasmistressofthelargesthouseholdinthecity。Shewentdailytheroundofthechambers，andsawthattheautomataandothermechanicalcontrivanceswereinorder，thatthenumerouschildrenemployedbyAph—Lin，whetherinhisprivateorpubliccapacity，werecarefullytended。Braalsoinspectedtheaccountsofthewholeestate，anditwashergreatdelighttoassistherhusbandinthebusinessconnectedwithhisofficeaschiefadministratoroftheLightingDepartment，sothatheravocationsnecessarilykepthermuchwithindoors。ThetwosonswerebothcompletingtheireducationattheCollegeofSages;andtheelder，whohadastrongpassionformechanics，andespeciallyforworksconnectedwiththemachineryoftimepiecesandautomata，haddecidedondevotinghimselftothesepursuits，andwasnowoccupiedinconstructingashoporwarehouse，atwhichhisinventionscouldbeexhibitedandsold。Theyoungerson110preferredfarmingandruraloccupations;andwhennotattendingtheCollege，atwhichhechieflystudiedthetheoriesofagriculture，wasmuchabsorbedbyhispracticalapplicationofthatsciencetohisfather’slands。Itwillbeseenbythishowcompletelyequalityofranksisestablishedamongthispeople—ashopkeeperbeingofexactlythesamegradeinestimationasthelargelandedproprietor。Aph—Linwasthewealthiestmemberofthecommunity，andhiseldestsonpreferredkeepingashoptoanyotheravocation;norwasthischoicethoughttoshowanywantofelevatednotionsonhispart。
Thisyoungmanhadbeenmuchinterestedinexaminingmywatch，theworksofwhichwerenewtohim，andwasgreatlypleasedwhenImadehimapresentofit。Shortlyafter，hereturnedthegiftwithinterest，byawatchofhisownconstruction，markingboththetimeasinmywatchandthetimeaskeptamongtheVril—ya。Ihavethatwatchstill，andithasbeenmuchadmiredbymanyamongthemosteminentwatchmakersofLondonandParis。Itisofgold，withdiamondhandsandfigures，anditplaysafavoritetuneamongtheVril—yainstrikingthehours：itonlyrequirestobewounduponceintenmonths，andhasnevergonewrongsinceIhadit。Theseyoungbrothersbeingthusoccupied，myusualcompanionsinthatfamily，whenI
wentabroad，weremyhostorhisdaughter。Now，agreeablywiththehonourableconclusionsIhadcometo，IbegantoexcusemyselffromZee’sinvitationstogooutalonewithher，andseizedanoccasionwhenthatlearnedGywasdeliveringalectureattheCollegeofSagestoaskAph—Lintoshowmehiscountry—seat。Asthiswasatsomelittledistance，andasAph—Linwasnotfondofwalking，whileIhaddiscreetlyrelinquishedallattemptsatflying，weproceededtoourdestinationinoneoftheaerialboatsbelongingtomyhost。A
childofeightyearsold，inhisemploy，wasourconductor。Myhostandmyselfreclinedoncushions，andIfoundthemovementveryeasyandluxurious。
111"Aph—Lin，"saidI，"youwillnot，Itrust，bedispleasedwithme，ifIaskyourpermissiontotravelforashorttime，andvisitothertribesorcommunitiesofyourillustriousrace。I
havealsoastrongdesiretoseethosenationswhichdonotadoptyourinstitutions，andwhichyouconsiderassavages。ItwouldinterestmegreatlytonoticewhatarethedistinctionsbetweenthemandtheraceswhomweconsidercivilisedintheworldIhaveleft。"
"Itisutterlyimpossiblethatyoushouldgohencealone，"saidAph—Lin。"EvenamongtheVril—yayouwouldbeexposedtogreatdangers。Certainpeculiaritiesofformationandcolour，andtheextraordinaryphenomenonofhirsutebushesuponyourcheeksandchin，denotinginyouaspeciesofAndistinctalikefromourownraceandanyknownraceofbarbariansyetextant，wouldattract，ofcourse，thespecialattentionoftheCollegeofSagesinwhatevercommunityofVril—yayouvisited，anditwoulddependupontheindividualtemperofsomeindividualsagewhetheryouwouldbereceived，asyouhavebeenhere，hospitably，orwhetheryouwouldnotbeatoncedissectedforscientificpurposes。KnowthatwhentheTurfirsttookyoutohishouse，andwhileyouwerethereputtosleepbyTaeeinordertorecoverfromyourpreviouspainorfatigue，thesagessummonedbytheTurweredividedinopinionwhetheryouwereaharmlessoranobnoxiousanimal。Duringyourunconsciousstateyourteethwereexamined，andtheyclearlyshowedthatyouwerenotonlygraminivorousbutcarnivorous。Carnivorousanimalsofyoursizearealwaysdestroyed，asbeingofsavageanddangerousnature。Ourteeth，asyouhavedoubtlessobserved，*
arenotthoseofthecreatureswhodevourflesh。"
*Ineverhadobservedit;and，ifIhad，amnotphysiologistenoughtohavedistinguishedthedifference。
"Itis，indeed，maintainedbyZeeandotherphilosophers，thatas，inremoteages，theAnadidpreyuponlivingbeingsofthebrutespecies，theirteethmusthavebeenfittedforthatpurpose。But，evenifso，theyhavebeenmodifiedby112hereditarytransmission，andsuitedtothefoodonwhichwenowexist;norareeventhebarbarians，whoadopttheturbulentandferociousinstitutionsofGlek—Nas，devourersoffleshlikebeastsofprey。
"Inthecourseofthisdisputeitwasproposedtodissectyou;
butTaeebeggedyouoff，andtheTurbeing，byoffice，aversetoallnovelexperimentsatvariancewithourcustomofsparinglife，exceptwhereitisclearlyprovedtobeforthegoodofthecommunitytotakeit，senttome，whosebusinessitis，astherichestmanofthestate，toaffordhospitalitytostrangersfromadistance。ItwasatmyoptiontodecidewhetherornotyouwereastrangerwhomIcouldsafelyadmit。
HadIdeclinedtoreceiveyou，youwouldhavebeenhandedovertotheCollegeofSages，andwhatmighttherehavebefallenyouIdonotliketoconjecture。Apartfromthisdanger，youmightchancetoencountersomechildoffouryearsold，justputinpossessionofhisvrilstaff;andwho，inalarmatyourstrangeappearance，andintheimpulseofthemoment，mightreduceyoutoacinder。Taeehimselfwasabouttodosowhenhefirstsawyou，hadhisfathernotcheckedhishand。ThereforeIsayyoucannottravelalone，butwithZeeyouwouldbesafe;andIhavenodoubtthatshewouldaccompanyyouonatourroundtheneighbouringcommunitiesofVril—ya（tothesavagestates，No！）：Iwillaskher。"
Now，asmymainobjectinproposingtotravelwastoescapefromZee，Ihastilyexclaimed，"Nay，praydonot！Irelinquishmydesign。Youhavesaidenoughastoitsdangerstodetermefromit;andIcanscarcelythinkitrightthatayoungGyofthepersonalattractionsofyourlovelydaughtershouldtravelintootherregionswithoutabetterprotectorthanaTishofmyinsignificantstrengthandstature。"
Aph—Linemittedthesoftsibilantsoundwhichisthenearestapproachtolaughterthatafull—grownAnpermitstohimself，erehereplied："Pardonmydiscourteousbutmomentaryindulgenceofmirthatanyobservationseriouslymadebymy113guest。IcouldnotbutbeamusedattheideaofZee，whoissofondofprotectingothersthatchildrencallher’THE
GUARDIAN，’needingaprotectorherselfagainstanydangersarisingfromtheaudaciousadmirationofmales。KnowthatourGy—ei，whileunmarried，areaccustomedtotravelaloneamongothertribes，toseeiftheyfindtheresomeAnwhomaypleasethemmorethantheAnatheyfindathome。Zeehasalreadymadethreesuchjourneys，buthithertoherhearthasbeenuntouched。"
HeretheopportunitywhichIsoughtwasaffordedtome，andI
said，lookingdown，andwithfalteringvoice，"Willyou，mykindhost，promisetopardonme，ifwhatIamabouttosaygivesoffence？"
"Sayonlythetruth，andIcannotbeoffended;or，couldIbeso，itwouldnotbeforme，butforyoutopardon。"
"Well，then，assistmetoquityou，and，muchasIshouldhaveliketowitnessmoreofthewonders，andenjoymoreofthefelicity，whichbelongtoyourpeople，letmereturntomyown。"
"IfeartherearereasonswhyIcannotdothat;atallevents，notwithoutpermissionoftheTur，andhe，probably，wouldnotgrantit。Youarenotdestituteofintelligence;youmay（thoughIdonotthinkso）haveconcealedthedegreeofdestructivepowerspossessedbyyourpeople;youmight，inshort，bringuponussomedanger;andiftheTurentertainsthatidea，itwouldclearlybehisduty，eithertoputanendtoyou，orencloseyouinacagefortherestofyourexistence。Butwhyshouldyouwishtoleaveastateofsocietywhichyousopolitelyallowtobemorefelicitousthanyourown？"
"Oh，Aph—Lin！Myanswerisplain。Lestinnaught，andunwittingly，Ishouldbetrayyourhospitality;lest，inthecapriceofwillwhichinourworldisproverbialamongtheothersex，andfromwhichevenaGyisnotfree，youradorabledaughtershoulddeigntoregardme，thoughaTish，asifIwereacivilisedAn，and—and—and———"
114
"Courtyouasherspouse，"putinAph—Lin，gravely，andwithoutanyvisiblesignofsurpriseordispleasure。
"Youhavesaidit。"
"Thatwouldbeamisfortune，"resumedmyhost，afterapause，"andIfeelyouhaveactedasyououghtinwarningme。Itis，asyouimply，notuncommonforanunweddedGytoconceivetastesastotheobjectshecovetswhichappearwhimsicaltoothers;butthereisnopowertocompelayoungGytoanycourseopposedtothatwhichshechoosestopursue。Allwecantoistoreasonwithher，andexperiencetellsusthatthewholeCollegeofSageswouldfinditvaintoreasonwithaGyinamatterthatconcernsherchoiceinlove。Igrieveforyou，becausesuchamarriagewouldbeagainsttheA—glauran，orgoodofthecommunity，forthechildrenofsuchamarriagewouldadulteratetherace：theymightevencomeintotheworldwiththeteethofcarnivorousanimals;thiscouldnotbeallowed：Zee，asaGy，cannotbecontrolled;butyou，asaTish，canbedestroyed。Iadviseyou，then，toresistheraddresses;totellherplainlythatyoucanneverreturnherlove。Thishappensconstantly。ManyanAn，however，ardentlywooedbyoneGy，rejectsher，andputsanendtoherpersecutionbyweddinganother。Thesamecourseisopentoyou。"
"No;forIcannotwedanotherGywithoutequallyinjuringthecommunity，andexposingittothechanceofrearingcarnivorouschildren。"
"Thatistrue。AllIcansay，andIsayitwiththetendernessduetoaTish，andtherespectduetoaguest，isfranklythis—
ifyouyield，youwillbecomeacinder。Imustleaveittoyoutotakethebestwayyoucantodefendyourself。PerhapsyouhadbettertellZeethatsheisugly。ThatassuranceonthelipsofhimshewoosgenerallysufficestochillthemostardentGy。Hereweareatmycountry—house。"
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ChapterXXIII。
IconfessthatmyconversationwithAph—Lin，andtheextremecoolnesswithwhichhestatedhisinabilitytocontrolthedangerouscapriceofhisdaughter，andtreatedtheideaofthereductionintoacindertowhichheramorousflamemightexposemytooseductiveperson，tookawaythepleasureIshouldotherwisehavehadinthecontemplationofmyhost’scountry—seat，andtheastonishingperfectionofthemachinerybywhichhisfarmingoperationswereconducted。ThehousedifferedinappearancefromthemassiveandsombrebuildingwhichAph—Lininhabitedinthecity，andwhichseemedakintotherocksoutofwhichthecityitselfhadbeenhewnintoshape。Thewallsofthecountry—seatwerecomposedbytreesplacedafewfeetapartfromeachother，theintersticesbeingfilledinwiththetransparentmetallicsubstancewhichservesthepurposeofglassamongtheAna。Thesetreeswereallinflower，andtheeffectwasverypleasing，ifnotinthebesttaste。Wewerereceivedattheporchbylife—likeautomata，whoconductedusintoachamber，theliketowhichIneversawbefore，buthaveoftenonsummerdaysdreamilyimagined。Itwasabower—halfroom，halfgarden。Thewallswereonemassofclimbingflowers。Theopenspaces，whichwecallwindows，andinwhich，here，themetallicsurfaceswereslidedback，commandedvariousviews;some，ofthewidelandscapewithitslakesandrocks;some，ofsmalllimitedexpansesansweringtoourconservatories，filledwithtiersofflowers。Alongthesidesoftheroomwereflower—beds，interspersedwithcushionsforrepose。InthecentreofthefloorwasacisternandafountainofthatliquidlightwhichIhavepresumedtobenaphtha。Itwasluminousandofaroseatehue;itsufficedwithoutlampstolightuptheroomwithasubduedradiance。
Allaroundthefountainwascarpetedwithasoftdeeplichen，notgreen（Ihaveneverseenthatcolourinthevegetationof116thiscountry），butaquietbrown，onwhichtheeyereposeswiththesamesenseofreliefasthatwithwhichintheupperworlditreposesongreen。Intheoutletsuponflowers（whichIhavecomparedtoourconservatories）thereweresingingbirdsinnumerable，which，whileweremainedintheroom，sanginthoseharmoniesoftunetowhichtheyare，intheseparts，sowonderfullytrained。Theroofwasopen。Thewholescenehadcharmsforeverysense—musicformthebirds，fragrancefromtheflowers，andvariedbeautytotheeyeateveryaspect。
Aboutallwasavoluptuousrepose。Whataplace，methought，forahoneymoon，ifaGybridewerealittlelessformidablyarmednotonlywiththerightsofwoman，butwiththepowersofman！ButwhenonethinksofaGy，solearned，sotall，sostately，somuchabovethestandardofthecreaturewecallwomanaswasZee，no！evenifIhadfeltnofearofbeingreducedtoacinder，itisnotofherIshouldhavedreamedinthatbowersoconstructedfordreamsofpoeticlove。
Theautomatareappeared，servingoneofthosedeliciousliquidswhichformtheinnocentwinesoftheVril—ya。
"Truly，"saidI，"thisisacharmingresidence，andIcanscarcelyconceivewhyyoudonotsettleyourselfhereinsteadofamidthegloomierabodesofthecity。"
"Asresponsibletothecommunityfortheadministrationoflight，Iamcompelledtoresidechieflyinthecity，andcanonlycomehitherforshortintervals。"
"ButsinceIunderstandfromyouthatnohonoursareattachedtoyouroffice，anditinvolvessometrouble，whydoyouacceptit？"
"EachofusobeyswithoutquestionthecommandoftheTur。Hesaid，’BeitrequestedthatAph—LinshallbetheCommissionerofLight，’soIhadnochoice;buthavingheldtheofficenowforalongtime，thecares，whichwereatfirstunwelcome，havebecome，ifnotpleasing，atleastendurable。Weareallformedbycustom—eventhedifferenceofourracefromthesavageisbutthetransmittedcontinuanceofcustom，whichbecomes，117throughhereditarydescent，partandparcelofournature。YouseethereareAnawhoevenreconcilethemselvestotheresponsibilitiesofchiefmagistrate，butnoonewoulddosoifhisdutieshadnotbeenrenderedsolight，oriftherewereanyquestionsastocompliancewithhisrequests。"
"Notevenifyouthoughttherequestsunwiseorunjust？"
"Wedonotallowourselvestothinkso，and，indeed，everythinggoesonasifeachandallgovernedthemselvesaccordingtoimmemorialcustom。"
"Whenthechiefmagistratediesorretires，howdoyouprovideforhissuccessor？"
"TheAnwhohasdischargedthedutiesofchiefmagistrateformanyyearsisthebestpersontochooseonebywhomthosedutiesmaybeunderstood，andhegenerallynameshissuccessor。"
"Hisson，perhaps？"
"Seldomthat;foritisnotanofficeanyonedesiresorseeks，andafathernaturallyhesitatestoconstrainhisson。ButiftheTurhimselfdeclinetomakeachoice，forfearitmightbesupposedthatheowedsomegrudgetothepersononwhomhischoicewouldsettle，thentherearethreeoftheCollegeofSageswhodrawlotsamongthemselveswhichshallhavethepowertoelectthechief。WeconsiderthatthejudgmentofoneAnofordinarycapacityisbetterthanthejudgmentofthreeormore，howeverwisetheymaybe;foramongthreetherewouldprobablybedisputes，andwheretherearedisputes，passioncloudsjudgment。Theworstchoicemadebyonewhohasnomotiveinchoosingwrong，isbetterthanthebestchoicemadebymanywhohavemanymotivesfornotchoosingright。"
"Youreverseinyourpolicythemaximsadoptedinmycountry。"
"Areyouall，inyourcountry，satisfiedwithyourgovernors？"
"All！Certainlynot;thegovernorsthatmostpleasesomearesuretobethosemostdispleasingtoothers。"
"Thenoursystemisbetterthanyours。"
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"Foryouitmaybe;butaccordingtooursystemaTishcouldnotbereducedtoacinderifafemalecompelledhimtomarryher;andasaTishIsightoreturntomynativeworld。"
"Takecourage，mydearlittleguest;Zeecan’tcompelyoutomarryher。Shecanonlyenticeyoutodoso。Don’tbeenticed。Comeandlookroundmydomain。"
Wewentforthintoaclose，borderedwithsheds;forthoughtheAnakeepnostockforfood，therearesomeanimalswhichtheyrearformilkingandothersforshearing。Theformerhavenoresemblancetoourcows，northelattertooursheep，nordoI
believesuchspeciesexistamongstthem。Theyusethemilkofthreevarietiesofanimal：oneresemblestheantelope，butismuchlarger，beingastallasacamel;theothertwoaresmaller，and，thoughdifferingsomewhatfromeachother，resemblenocreatureIeversawonearth。Theyareverysleekandofroundedproportions;theircolourthatofthedappleddeer，withverymildcountenancesandbeautifuldarkeyes。Themilkofthesethreecreaturesdiffersinrichnessandtaste。
Itisusuallydilutedwithwater，andflavouredwiththejuiceofapeculiarandperfumedfruit，andinitselfisverynutritiousandpalatable。Theanimalwhosefleeceservesthemforclothingandmanyotherpurposes，ismoreliketheItalianshe—goatthananyothercreature，butisconsiderablylarger，hasnohorns，andisfreefromthedispleasingodourofourgoats。Itsfleeceisnotthick，butverylongandfine;itvariesincolour，butisneverwhite，moregenerallyofaslate—likeorlavenderhue。Forclothingitisusuallyworndyedtosuitthetasteofthewearer。Theseanimalswereexceedinglytame，andweretreatedwithextraordinarycareandaffectionbythechildren（chieflyfemale）whotendedthem。
Wethenwentthroughvaststorehousesfilledwithgrainsandfruits。Imayhereobservethatthemainstapleoffoodamongthesepeopleconsists—firstly，ofakindofcornmuchlarger119inearthanourwheat，andwhichbycultureisperpetuallybeingbroughtintonewvarietiesofflavour;and，secondly，ofafruitofaboutthesizeofasmallorange，which，whengathered，ishardandbitter。Itisstowedawayformanymonthsintheirwarehouses，andthenbecomessucculentandtender。Itsjuice，whichisofdark—redcolour，entersintomostoftheirsauces。Theyhavemanykindsoffruitofthenatureoftheolive，fromwhichdeliciousoilsareextracted。
Theyhaveaplantsomewhatresemblingthesugar—cane，butitsjuicesarelesssweetandofadelicateperfume。Theyhavenobeesnorhoney—makinginsects，buttheymakemuchuseofasweetgumthatoozesfromaconiferousplant，notunlikethearaucaria。Theirsoilteemsalsowithesculentrootsandvegetables，whichitistheaimoftheirculturetoimproveandvarytotheutmost。AndIneverrememberanymealamongthispeople，howeveritmightbeconfinedtothefamilyhousehold，inwhichsomedelicatenoveltyinsucharticlesoffoodwasnotintroduced。Infine，asIbeforeobserved，theircookeryisexquisite，sodiversifiedandnutritiousthatonedoesnotmissanimalfood;andtheirownphysicalformssufficetoshowthatwiththem，atleast，meatisnotrequiredforsuperiorproductionofmuscularfibre。Theyhavenograpes—thedrinksextractedfromtheirfruitsareinnocentandrefreshing。Theirstaplebeverage，however，iswater，inthechoiceofwhichtheyareveryfastidious，distinguishingatoncetheslightestimpurity。
"Myyoungersontakesgreatpleasureinaugmentingourproduce，"saidAph—Linaswepassedthroughthestorehouses，"andthereforewillinherittheselands，whichconstitutethechiefpartofmywealth。Tomyeldersonsuchinheritancewouldbeagreattroubleandaffliction。"
"Aretheremanysonsamongyouwhothinktheinheritanceofvastwealthwouldbeagreattroubleandaffliction？"
"Certainly;thereareindeedveryfewoftheVril—yawhodonot120considerthatafortunemuchabovetheaverageisaheavyburden。Weareratheralazypeopleaftertheageofchildhood，anddonotlikeundergoingmorecaresthanwecanhelp，andgreatwealthdoesgiveitsownermanycares。Forinstance，itmarksusoutforpublicoffices，whichnoneofuslikeandnoneofuscanrefuse。Itnecessitatesourtakingacontinuedinterestintheaffairsofanyofourpoorercountrymen，sothatwemayanticipatetheirwantsandseethatnonefallintopoverty。Thereisanoldproverbamongstuswhichsays，’Thepoorman’sneedistherichman’sshame———’"
"Pardonme，ifIinterruptyouforamoment。Youallowthatsome，evenoftheVril—ya，knowwant，andneedrelief。"
"IfbywantyoumeanthedestitutionthatprevailsinaKoom—Posh，THATisimpossiblewithus，unlessanAnhas，bysomeextraordinaryprocess，gotridofallhismeans，cannotorwillnotemigrate，andhaseithertiredouttheaffectionateaidofthisrelationsorpersonalfriends，orrefusestoacceptit。"
"Well，then，doeshenotsupplytheplaceofaninfantorautomaton，andbecomealabourer—aservant？"
"No;thenweregardhimasanunfortunatepersonofunsoundreason，andplacehim，attheexpenseoftheState，inapublicbuilding，whereeverycomfortandeveryluxurythatcanmitigatehisafflictionarelavisheduponhim。ButanAndoesnotliketobeconsideredoutofhismind，andthereforesuchcasesoccursoseldomthatthepublicbuildingIspeakofisnowadesertedruin，andthelastinmateofitwasanAnwhomI
recollecttohaveseeninmychildhood。Hedidnotseemconsciousoflossofreason，andwroteglaubs（poetry）。WhenI
spokeofwants，ImeantsuchwantsasanAnwithdesireslargerthanhismeanssometimesentertains—forexpensivesinging—birds，orbiggerhouses，orcountry—gardens;andtheobviouswaytosatisfysuchwantsistobuyofhimsomethingthathesells。HenceAnalikemyself，whoareveryrich，are121obligedtobuyagreatmanythingstheydonotrequire，andliveonaverylargescalewheretheymightprefertoliveonasmallone。Forinstance，thegreatsizeofmyhouseinthetownisasourceofmuchtroubletomywife，andeventomyself;butIamcompelledtohaveitthusincommodiouslylarge，because，astherichestAnofthecommunity，Iamappointedtoentertainthestrangersfromtheothercommunitieswhentheyvisitus，whichtheydoingreatcrowdstwice—a—year，whencertainperiodicalentertainmentsareheld，andwhenrelationsscatteredthroughoutalltherealmsoftheVril—yajoyfullyreuniteforatime。Thishospitality，onascalesoextensive，isnottomytaste，andthereforeIshouldhavebeenhappierhadIbeenlessrich。Butwemustallbearthelotassignedtousinthisshortpassagethroughtimethatwecalllife。Afterall，whatareahundredyears，moreorless，totheagesthroughwhichwemustpasshereafter？Luckily，Ihaveonesonwholikesgreatwealth。Itisarareexceptiontothegeneralrule，andIownIcannotmyselfunderstandit。"
AfterthisconversationIsoughttoreturntothesubjectwhichcontinuedtoweighonmyheart—viz。，thechancesofescapefromZee。Butmyhostpolitelydeclinedtorenewthattopic，andsummonedourair—boat。OnourwaybackweweremetbyZee，who，havingfoundusgone，onherreturnfromtheCollegeofSages，hadunfurledherwingsandflowninsearchofus。
Hergrand，buttomeunalluring，countenancebrightenedasshebeheldme，and，poisingherselfbesidetheboatonherlargeoutspreadplumes，shesaidreproachfullytoAph—Lin—"Oh，father，wasitrightinyoutohazardthelifeofyourguestinavehicletowhichheissounaccustomed？Hemight，byanincautiousmovement，fallovertheside;andalas;heisnotlikeus，hehasnowings。Itweredeathtohimtofall。Dearone！"（sheadded，accostingmyshrinkingselfinasoftervoice），"haveyounothoughtofme，thatyoushouldthushazard122alifewhichhasbecomealmostapartofmine？Neveragainbethusrash，unlessIamthycompanion。Whatterrorthouhaststrickenintome！"
IglancedfurtivelyatAph—Lin，expecting，atleast，thathewouldindignantlyreprovehisdaughterforexpressionsofanxietyandaffection，which，underallthecircumstances，would，intheworldaboveground，beconsideredimmodestinthelipsofayoungfemale，addressedtoamalenotaffiancedtoher，evenifofthesamerankasherself。
Butsoconfirmedaretherightsoffemalesinthatregion，andsoabsolutelyforemostamongthoserightsdofemalesclaimtheprivilegeofcourtship，thatAph—LinwouldnomorehavethoughtofreprovinghisvirgindaughterthanhewouldhavethoughtofdisobeyingtheordersoftheTur。Inthatcountry，custom，asheimplied，isallinall。
Heansweredmildly，"Zee，theTishisinnodangeranditismybeliefthehecantakeverygoodcareofhimself。"
"Iwouldratherthatheletmechargemyselfwithhiscare。
Oh，heartofmyheart，itwasinthethoughtofthydangerthatIfirstfelthowmuchIlovedthee！"
NeverdidmanfeelinsuchafalsepositionasIdid。ThesewordswerespokenloudinthehearingofZee’sfather—inthehearingofthechildwhosteered。Iblushedwithshameforthem，andforher，andcouldnothelpreplyingangrily："Zee，eitheryoumockme，which，asyourfather’sguest，misbecomesyou，orthewordsyouutterareimproperforamaidenGytoaddresseventoanAnofherownrace，ifhehasnotwooedherwiththeconsentofherparents。HowmuchmoreimpropertoaddressthemtoaTish，whohasneverpresumedtosolicityouraffections，andwhocanneverregardyouwithothersentimentsthanthoseofreverenceandawe！"
Aph—Linmademeacovertsingofapprobation，butsaidnothing。
123"Benotsocruel！"exclaimedZee，stillinsonorousaccents。
"Canlovecommanditselfwhereitistrulyfelt？DoyousupposethatamaidenGywillconcealasentimentthatitelevateshertofeel？Whatacountryyoumusthavecomefrom！"
HereAph—Lingentlyinterposed，saying，"AmongtheTish—atherightsofyoursexdonotappeartobeestablished，andatalleventsmyguestmayconversewithyoumorefreelyifuncheckedbythepresenceofothers。"
TothisremarkZeemadenoreply，but，dartingonmeatenderreproachfulglance，agitatedherwingsandfledhomeward。
"Ihadcounted，atleast，onsomeaidfrommyhost，"Isaidbitterly，"intheperilstowhichhisowndaughterexposesme。"
"IgaveyouthebestaidIcould。TocontradictaGyinherloveaffairsistoconfirmherpurpose。Sheallowsnocounseltocomebetweenherandheraffections。"
ChapterXXIV。
Onalightingfromtheair—boat，achildaccostedAph—Lininthehallwitharequestthathewouldbepresentatthefuneralobsequiesofarelationwhohadrecentlydepartedfromthatnetherworld。
Now，Ihadneverseenaburial—placeorcemeteryamongstthispeople，and，gladtoseizeevensomelancholyanoccasiontodeferanencounterwithZee，IaskedAph—LinifImightbepermittedtowitnesswithhimtheintermentofhisrelation;
unless，indeed，itwereregardedasoneofthosesacredceremoniestowhichastrangertotheirracemightnotbeadmitted。
"ThedepartureofanAntoahappierworld，"answeredmyhost，"when，asinthecaseofmykinsman，hehaslivedsolongin124thisastohavelostpleasureinit，isratheracheerfulthoughquietfestivalthanasacredceremony，andyoumayaccompanymeifyouwill。"
Precededbythechild—messenger，wewalkedupthemainstreettoahouseatsomelittledistance，and，enteringthehall，wereconductedtoaroomonthegroundfloor，wherewefoundseveralpersonsassembledroundacouchonwhichwaslaidthedeceased。Itwasanoldman，whohad，asIwastold，livedbeyondhis130thyear。Tojudgebythecalmsmileonhiscountenance，hehadpassedawaywithoutsuffering。Oneofthesons，whowasnowtheheadofthefamily，andwhoseemedinvigorousmiddlelife，thoughhewasconsiderablymorethanseventy，steppedforwardwithacheerfulfaceandtoldAph—Lin"thatthedaybeforehediedhisfatherhadseeninadreamhisdepartedGy，andwaseagertobereunitedtoher，andrestoredtoyouthbeneaththenearersmileoftheAll—Good。"
Whilethesetwoweretalking，myattentionwasdrawntoadarkmetallicsubstanceatthefartherendoftheroom。Itwasabouttwentyfeetinlength，narrowinproportion，andallclosedround，save，neartheroof，thereweresmallroundholesthroughwhichmightbeseenaredlight。Fromtheinterioremanatedarichandsweetperfume;andwhileIwasconjecturingwhatpurposethismachinewastoserve，allthetime—piecesinthetownstruckthehourwiththeirsolemnmusicalchime;andasthatsoundceased，musicofamorejoyouscharacter，butstillofajoysubduedandtranquil，rangthroughoutthechamber，andfromthewallsbeyond，inachoralpeal。
Symphoniouswiththemelody，thoseintheroomliftedtheirvoicesinchant。Thewordsofthishymnweresimple。Theyexpressednoregret，nofarewell，butratheragreetingtothenewworldwhitherthedeceasedhadprecededtheliving。
Indeed，intheirlanguage，thefuneralhymniscalledthe’BirthSong。’Thenthecorpse，coveredbyalongcerement，wastenderlyliftedupbysixofthenearestkinfolkandbornetowardsthedarkthingIhavedescribed。Ipressedforwardto125seewhathappened。Aslidingdoororpanelatoneendwasliftedup—thebodydepositedwithin，onashelf—thedoorreclosed—aspringathesidetouched—asudden’whishing，’
sighingsoundheardfromwithin;andlo！attheotherendofthemachinethelidfelldown，andasmallhandfulofsmoulderingdustdroppedintoa’patera’placedtoreceiveit。
Thesontookupthe’patera’andsaid（inwhatIunderstoodafterwardswastheusualformofwords），"BeholdhowgreatistheMaker！TothislittledustHegaveformandlifeandsoul。
ItneedsnotthislittledustforHimtorenewformandlifeandsoultothebelovedoneweshallsoonseeagain。"
Eachpresentbowedhisheadandpressedhishandtohisheart。
Thenayoungfemalechildopenedasmalldoorwithinthewall，andIperceived，intherecess，shelvesonwhichwereplacedmany’paterae’likethatwhichthesonheld，savethattheyallhadcovers。WithsuchacoveraGynowapproachedtheson，andplaceditoverthecup，onwhichitclosedwithaspring。Onthelidwereengraventhenameofthedeceased，andthesewords：—"Lenttous"（herethedateofbirth）。"Recalledfromus"（herethedateofdeath）。
Thecloseddoorshutwithamusicalsound，andallwasover。
ChapterXXV。
"Andthis，"saidI，withmymindfullofwhatIhadwitnessed—
"this，Ipresume，isyourusualformofburial？"
"Ourinvariableform，"answeredAph—Lin。"Whatisitamongstyourpeople？"
"Weinterthebodywholewithintheearth。"
"What！Todegradetheformyouhavelovedandhonoured，thewifeonwhosebreastyouhaveslept，totheloathsomenessofcorruption？"
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"Butifthesoullivesagain，canitmatterwhetherthebodywastewithintheearthorisreducedbythatawfulmechanism，worked，nodoubtbytheagencyofvril，intoapinchofdust？"
"Youanswerwell，"saidmyhost，"andthereisnoarguingonamatteroffeeling;buttomeyourcustomishorribleandrepulsive，andwouldservetoinvestdeathwithgloomyandhideousassociations。Itissomething，too，tomymind，tobeabletopreservethetokenofwhathasbeenourkinsmanorfriendwithintheabodeinwhichwelive。Wethusfeelmoresensiblythathestilllives，thoughnotvisiblysotous。Butoursentimentsinthis，asinallthings，arecreatedbycustom。CustomisnottobechangedbyawiseAn，anymorethanitischangedbyawiseCommunity，withoutthegreatestdeliberation，followedbythemostearnestconviction。Itisonlythusthatchangeceasestobechangeability，andoncemadeismadeforgood。
Whenweregainedthehouse，Aph—Linsummonedsomeofthechildreninhisserviceandsentthemroundtoseveralofhisfriends，requestingtheirattendancethatday，duringtheEasyHours，toafestivalinhonourofhiskinsman’srecalltotheAll—Good。ThiswasthelargestandgayestassemblyIeverwitnessedduringmystayamongtheAna，andwasprolongedfarintotheSilentHours。
Thebanquetwasspreadinavastchamberreservedespeciallyforgrandoccasions。Thisdifferedfromourentertainments，andwasnotwithoutacertainresemblancetothosewereadofintheluxuriousageoftheRomanempire。Therewasnotonegreattablesetout，butnumeroussmalltables，eachappropriatedtoeightguests。Itisconsideredthatbeyondthatnumberconversationlanguishesandfriendshipcools。TheAnaneverlaughloud，asIhavebeforeobserved，butthecheerfulringoftheirvoicesatthevarioustablesbetokenedgaietyofintercourse。Astheyhavenostimulantdrinks，andaretemperateinfood，thoughsochoiceanddainty，thebanquetitselfdidnotlastlong。Thetablessankthroughthefloor，127andthencamemusicalentertainmentsforthosewholikedthem。
Many，however，wanderedaway：—someoftheyoungerascendedintheirwings，forthehallwasroofless，formingaerialdances;
othersstrolledthroughthevariousapartments，examiningthecuriositieswithwhichtheywerestored，orformedthemselvesintogroupsforvariousgames，thefavouriteofwhichisacomplicatedkindofchessplayedbyeightpersons。Imixedwiththecrowd，butwaspreventedjoiningintheconversationbytheconstantcompanionshipofoneortheotherofmyhost’ssons，appointedtokeepmefromobtrusivequestionings。Theguests，however，noticedmebutslightly;theyhadgrownaccustomedtomyappearance，seeingmesoofteninthestreets，andIhadceasedtoexcitemuchcuriosity。
TomygreatdelightZeeavoidedme，andevidentlysoughttoexcitemyjealousybymarkedattentionstoaveryhandsomeyoungAn，who（though，asisthemodestcustomofthemaleswhenaddressedbyfemales，heansweredwithdowncasteyesandblushingcheeks，andwasdemureandshyasyoungladiesnewtotheworldareinmostcivilisedcountries，exceptEnglandandAmerica）wasevidentlymuchcharmedbythetallGy，andreadytofalterabashful"Yes"ifshehadactuallyproposed。
Ferventlyhopingthatshewould，andmoreandmoreaversetotheideaofreductiontoacinderafterIhadseentherapiditywithwhichahumanbodycanbehurriedintoapinchofdust，I
amusedmyselfbywatchingthemannersoftheotheryoungpeople。IhadthesatisfactionofobservingthatZeewasnosingularassertorofafemale’smostvaluedrights。WhereverI
turnedmyeyes，orlentmyears，itseemedtomethattheGywasthewooingparty，andtheAnthecoyandreluctantone。
TheprettyinnocentairswhichanAngavehimselfonbeingthuscourted，thedexteritywithwhichheevadeddirectanswerstoprofessionsofattachment，orturnedintojesttheflatteringcomplimentsaddressedtohim，wouldhavedonehonourtothe128mostaccomplishedcoquette。Bothmymalechaperonsweresubjectedgreatlytotheseseductiveinfluences，andbothacquittedthemselveswithwonderfulhonourtotheirtactandself—control。
Isaidtotheelderson，whopreferredmechanicalemploymentstothemanagementofagreatproperty，andwhowasofaneminentlyphilosophicaltemperament，—"Ifinditdifficulttoconceivehowatyourage，andwithalltheintoxicatingeffectsonthesenses，ofmusicandlightsandperfumes，youcanbesocoldtothatimpassionedyoungGywhohasjustleftyouwithtearsinhereyesatyourcruelty。"
TheyoungAnrepliedwithasigh，"GentleTish，thegreatestmisfortuneinlifeistomarryoneGyifyouareinlovewithanother。"
"Oh！Youareinlovewithanother？"
"Alas！Yes。"
"Andshedoesnotreturnyourlove？"
"Idon’tknow。Sometimesalook，atone，makesmehopeso;butshehasneverplainlytoldmethatshelovesme。"
"Haveyounotwhisperedinherownearthatyouloveher？"
"Fie！Whatareyouthinkingof？Whatworlddoyoucomefrom？
CouldIsobetraythedignityofmysex？CouldIbesoun—Anly—
solosttoshame，astoownlovetoaGywhohasnotfirstownedherstome？"
"Pardon：Iwasnotquiteawarethatyoupushedthemodestyofyoursexsofar。ButdoesnoAneversaytoaGy，’Iloveyou，’tillshesaysitfirsttohim？"
"Ican’tsaythatnoAnhaseverdoneso，butifheeverdoes，heisdisgracedintheeyesoftheAna，andsecretlydespisedbytheGy—ei。NoGy，wellbroughtup，wouldlistentohim;shewouldconsiderthatheaudaciouslyinfringedontherightsofhersex，whileoutragingthemodestywhichdignifieshisown。
Itisveryprovoking，"continuedtheAn，"forshewhomIlovehascertainlycourtednooneelse，andIcannotbutthinkshelikesme。SometimesIsuspectthatshedoesnotcourtmebecauseshefearsIwouldasksomeunreasonablesettlementas129tothesurrenderofherrights。Butifso，shecannotreallyloveme，forwhereaGyreallylovessheforgoesallrights。"
"IsthisyoungGypresent？"
"Ohyes。Shesitsyondertalkingtomymother。"
Ilookedinthedirectiontowhichmyeyeswerethusguided，andsawaGydressedinrobesofbrightred，whichamongthispeopleisasignthataGyasyetprefersasinglestate。Shewearsgray，aneutraltint，toindicatethatsheislookingaboutforaspouse;darkpurpleifshewishestointimatethatshehasmadeachoice;purpleandorangewhensheisbetrothedormarried;lightbluewhensheisdivorcedorawidow，andwouldmarryagain。Lightblueisofcourseseldomseen。
Amongapeoplewhereallareofsohighatypeofbeauty，itisdifficulttosingleoutoneaspeculiarlyhandsome。Myyoungfriend’schoiceseemedtometopossesstheaverageofgoodlooks;buttherewasanexpressioninherfacethatpleasedmemorethandidthefacesoftheyoungGy—eigenerally，becauseitlookedlessbold—lessconsciousoffemalerights。I
observedthat，whileshetalkedtoBra，sheglanced，fromtimetotime，sidelongatmyyoungfriend。
"Courage，"saidI，"thatyoungGylovesyou。"
"Ay，butifsheshallnotsayso，howamIthebetterforherlove？"
"Yourmotherisawareofyourattachment？"
"Perhapsso。Ineverownedittoher。Itwouldbeun—Anlytoconfidesuchweaknesstoamother。Ihavetoldmyfather;hemayhavetolditagaintohiswife。"
"Willyoupermitmetoquityouforamomentandglidebehindyourmotherandyourbeloved？Iamsuretheyaretalkingaboutyou。Donothesitate。IpromisethatIwillnotallowmyselftobequestionedtillIrejoinyou。"
TheyoungAnpressedhishandonhisheart，touchedmelightlyonthehead，andallowedmetoquithisside。Istoleunobservedbehindhismotherandhisbeloved。Ioverheardtheirtalk。
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Brawasspeaking;saidshe，"Therecanbenodoubtofthis：
eithermyson，whoisofmarriageableage，willbedecoyedintomarriagewithoneofhismanysuitors，orhewilljointhosewhoemigratetoadistanceandweshallseehimnomore。Ifyoureallycareforhim，mydearLo，youshouldpropose。"
"Idocareforhim，Bra;butIdoubtifIcouldreallyeverwinhisaffections。Heisfondofhisinventionsandtimepieces;
andIamnotlikeZee，butsodullthatIfearIcouldnotenterintohisfavouritepursuits，andthenhewouldgettiredofme，andattheendofthreeyearsdivorceme，andIcouldnevermarryanother—never。"
"ItisnotnecessarytoknowabouttimepiecestoknowhowtobesonecessarytothehappinessofanAn，whocaresfortimepieces，thathewouldrathergiveupthetimepiecesthandivorcehisGy。Yousee，mydearLo，"continuedBra，"thatpreciselybecausewearethestrongersex，weruletheotherprovidedwenevershowourstrength。Ifyouweresuperiortomysoninmakingtimepiecesandautomata，youshould，ashiswife，alwayslethimsupposeyouthoughthimsuperiorinthatarttoyourself。TheAntacitlyallowsthepre—eminenceoftheGyinallexcepthisownspecialpursuit。Butifsheeitherexcelshiminthat，oraffectsnottoadmirehimforhisproficiencyinit，hewillnotloveherverylong;perhapshemayevendivorceher。ButwhereaGyreallyloves，shesoonlearnstoloveallthattheAndoes。"
TheyoungGymadenoanswertothisaddress。Shelookeddownmusingly，thenasmilecreptoverherlips，andsherose，stillsilent，andwentthroughthecrowdtillshepausedbytheyoungAnwholovedher。Ifollowedhersteps，butdiscreetlystoodatalittledistancewhileIwatchedthem。Somewhattomysurprise，tillIrecollectedthecoytacticsamongtheAna，theloverseemedtoreceiveheradvanceswithanairofindifference。Heevenmovedaway，butshepursuedhissteps，131and，alittletimeafter，bothspreadtheirwingsandvanishedamidtheluminousspaceabove。
JustthenIwasaccostedbythechiefmagistrate，whomingledwiththecrowddistinguishedbynosignsofdeferenceorhomage。ItsohappenedthatIhadnotseenthisgreatdignitarysincethedayIhadenteredhisdominions，andrecallingAph—Lin’swordsastohisterribledoubtwhetherornotIshouldbedissected，ashuddercreptovermeatthesightofhistranquilcountenance。
"Ihearmuchofyou，stranger，frommysonTaee，"saidtheTur，layinghishandpolitelyonmybendedhead。"Heisveryfondofyoursociety，andItrustyouarenotdispleasedwiththecustomsofourpeople。"