Imutteredsomeunintelligibleanswer，whichIintendedtobeanassuranceofmygratitudeforthekindnessIhadreceivedfromtheTur，andmyadmirationofhiscountrymen，butthedissecting—knifegleamedbeforemymind’seyeandchokedmyutterance。Asoftervoicesaid，"Mybrother’sfriendmustbedeartome。"AndlookingupIsawayoungGy，whomightbesixteenyearsold，standingbesidethemagistrateandgazingatmewithaverybenignantcountenance。Shehadnotcometoherfullgrowth，andwasscarcelytallerthanmyself（viz。，about5
　　feet10inches），and，thankstothatcomparativelydiminutivestature，IthoughthertheloveliestGyIhadhithertoseen。I
　　supposesomethinginmyeyesrevealedthatimpression，forhercountenancegrewyetmorebenignant。
　　"Taeetellsme，"shesaid，"thatyouhavenotyetlearnedtoaccustomyourselftowings。Thatgrievesme，forIshouldhavelikedtoflywithyou。"
　　"Alas！"Ireplied，"Icanneverhopetoenjoythathappiness。
　　IamassuredbyZeethatthesafeuseofwingsisahereditarygift，anditwouldtakegenerationsbeforeoneofmyracecouldpoisehimselfintheairlikeabird。"
　　132"Letnotthatthoughtvexyoutoomuch，"repliedthisamiablePrincess，"for，afterall，theremustcomeadaywhenZeeandmyselfmustresignourwingsforever。PerhapswhenthatdaycomeswemightbegladiftheAnwechosewasalsowithoutwings。"
　　TheTurhadleftus，andwaslostamongstthecrowd。IbegantofeelateasewithTaee’scharmingsister，andratherstartledherbytheboldnessofmycomplimentinreplying，"thatnoAnshecouldchoosewouldeverusehiswingstoflyawayfromher。"ItissoagainstcustomforanAntosaysuchcivilthingstoaGytillshehasdeclaredherpassionforhim，andbeenacceptedashisbetrothed，thattheyoungmaidenstoodquitedumbfoundedforafewmoments。Neverthelessshedidnotseemdispleased。Atlastrecoveringherself，sheinvitedmetoaccompanyherintooneofthelesscrowdedroomsandlistentothesongsofthebirds。Ifollowedherstepsassheglidedbeforeme，andsheledmeintoachamberalmostdeserted。A
　　fountainofnaphthawasplayinginthecentreoftheroom;
　　rounditwererangedsoftdivans，andthewallsoftheroomwereopenononesidetoanaviaryinwhichthebirdswerechantingtheirartfulchorus。TheGyseatedherselfononeofthedivans，andIplacedmyselfatherside。"Taeetellsme，"
　　shesaid，"thatAph—Linhasmadeitthelaw*ofhishousethatyouarenottobequestionedastothecountryyoucomefromorthereasonwhyyouvisitus。Isitso？"
　　*Literally"hassaid，Inthishousebeitrequested。"Wordssynonymouswithlaw，asimplyingforcibleobligation，areavoidedbythissingularpeople。EvenhaditbeendecreedbytheTurthathisCollegeofSagesshoulddissectme，thedecreewouldhaveranblandlythus，—"Beitrequestedthat，forthegoodofthecommunity，thecarnivorousTishberequestedtosubmithimselftodissection。"
　　"Itis。"
　　"MayI，atleast，withoutsinningagainstthatlaw，askatleastiftheGy—eiinyourcountryareofthesamepalecolourasyourself，andnotaller？"
　　"Idonotthink，ObeautifulGy，thatIinfringethelawofAph—Lin，whichismorebindingonmyselfthananyone，ifI
　　133answerquestionssoinnocent。TheGy—eiinmycountryaremuchfairerofhuethanIam，andtheiraverageheightisatleastaheadshorterthanmine。"
　　"TheycannotthenbesostrongastheAnaamongstyou？ButI
　　supposetheirsuperiorvrilforcemakesupforsuchextraordinarydisadvantageofsize？"
　　"Theydonotprofessthevrilforceasyouknowit。Butstilltheyareverypowerfulinmycountry，andanAnhassmallchanceofahappylifeifhebenotmoreorlessgovernedbyhisGy。"
　　"Youspeakfeelingly，"saidTaee’ssister，inatoneofvoicehalfsad，halfpetulant。"Youaremarried，ofcourse。"
　　"No—certainlynot。"
　　"Norbetrothed？"
　　"Norbetrothed。"
　　"IsitpossiblethatnoGyhasproposedtoyou？"
　　"InmycountrytheGydoesnotpropose;theAnspeaksfirst。"
　　"Whatastrangereversalofthelawsofnature！"saidthemaiden，"andwhatwantofmodestyinyoursex！Buthaveyouneverproposed，neverlovedoneGymorethananother？"
　　Ifeltembarrassedbytheseingeniousquestionings，andsaid，"Pardonme，butIthinkwearebeginningtoinfringeuponAph—Lin’sinjunction。ThismuchonlywillIanswer，andthen，Iimploreyou，asknomore。Ididoncefeelthepreferenceyouspeakof;Ididpropose，andtheGywouldwillinglyhaveacceptedme，butherparentsrefusedtheirconsent。"
　　"Parents！Doyoumeanseriouslytotellmethatparentscaninterferewiththechoiceoftheirdaughters？"
　　"Indeedtheycan，anddoveryoften。"
　　"Ishouldnotliketoliveinthatcountry，saidtheGysimply;
　　"butIhopeyouwillnevergobacktoit。"
　　Ibowedmyheadinsilence。TheGygentlyraisedmyfacewithherrighthand，andlookedintoittenderly。"Staywithus，"
　　shesaid;"staywithus，andbeloved。"
　　134
　　WhatImighthaveanswered，whatdangersofbecomingacinderI
　　mighthaveencountered，Istilltroubletothink，whenthelightofthenaphthafountainwasobscuredbytheshadowofwings;andZee，flyingthoughtheopenroof，alightedbesideus。Shesaidnotaword，but，takingmyarmwithhermightyhand，shedrewmeaway，asamotherdrawsanaughtychild，andledmethroughtheapartmentstooneofthecorridors，onwhich，bythemechanismtheygenerallyprefertostairs，weascendedtomyownroom。Thisgained，Zeebreathedonmyforehead，touchedmybreastwithherstaff，andIwasinstantlyplungedintoaprofoundsleep。
　　WhenIawokesomehourslater，andheardthesongsofthebirdsintheadjoiningaviary，theremembranceofTaee’ssister，hergentlelooksandcaressingwords，vividlyreturnedtome;andsoimpossibleisitforonebornandrearedinourupperworld’sstateofsocietytodivesthimselfofideasdictatedbyvanityandambition，thatIfoundmyselfinstinctivelybuildingproudcastlesintheair。
　　"TishthoughIbe，"thusranmymeditations—"TishthoughIbe，itisthenclearthatZeeisnottheonlyGywhommyappearancecancaptivate。EvidentlyIamlovedbyAPRINCESS，thefirstmaidenofthisland，thedaughteroftheabsoluteMonarchwhoseautocracytheysoidlyseektodisguisebytherepublicantitleofchiefmagistrate。ButforthesuddenswoopofthathorribleZee，thisRoyalLadywouldhaveformallyproposedtome;andthoughitmaybeverywellforAph—Lin，whoisonlyasubordinateminister，amereCommissionerofLight，tothreatenmewithdestructionifIaccepthisdaughter’shand，yetaSovereign，whosewordislaw，couldcompelthecommunitytoabrogateanycustomthatforbidsintermarriagewithoneofastrangerace，andwhichinitselfisacontradictiontotheirboastedequalityofranks。
　　"Itisnottobesupposedthathisdaughter，whospokewithsuchincredulousscornoftheinterferenceofparents，would135nothavesufficientinfluencewithherRoyalFathertosavemefromthecombustiontowhichAph—Linwouldcondemnmyform。
　　AndifIwereexaltedbysuchanalliance，whoknowsbutwhattheMonarchmightelectmeashissuccessor？Whynot？Fewamongthisindolentraceofphilosophersliketheburdenofsuchgreatness。Allmightbepleasedtoseethesupremepowerlodgedinthehandsofanaccomplishedstrangerwhohasexperienceofotherandlivelierformsofexistence;andoncechosen，whatreformsIwouldinstitute！Whatadditionstothereallypleasantbuttoomonotonouslifeofthisrealmmyfamiliaritywiththecivilisednationsabovegroundwouldeffect！Iamfondofthesportsofthefield。Nexttowar，isnotthechaseaking’spastime？Inwhatvarietiesofstrangegamedoesthisnetherworldabound？HowinterestingtostrikedowncreaturesthatwereknownabovegroundbeforetheDeluge！
　　Buthow？Bythatterriblevril，inwhich，fromwantofhereditarytransmission，Icouldneverbeaproficient？No，butbyacivilisedhandybreech—loader，whichtheseingeniousmechanicianscouldnotonlymake，butnodoubtimprove;nay，surelyIsawoneintheMuseum。Indeed，asabsoluteking，I
　　shoulddiscountenancevrilaltogether，exceptincasesofwar。
　　Aproposofwar，itisperfectlyabsurdtostintapeoplesointelligent，sorich，sowellarmed，toapettylimitofterritorysufficingfor10，000or12，000families。Isnotthisrestrictionamerephilosophicalcrotchet，atvariancewiththeaspiringelementinhumannature，suchashasbeenpartially，andwithcompletefailure，triedintheupperworldbythelateMr。RobertOwen？Ofcourseonewouldnotgotowarwiththeneighbouringnationsaswellarmedasone’sownsubjects;butthen，whatofthoseregionsinhabitedbyracesunacquaintedwithvril，andapparentlyresembling，intheirdemocraticinstitutions，myAmericancountrymen？Onemightinvadethemwithoutoffencetothevrilnations，ourallies，appropriatetheirterritories，extending，perhaps，tothemostdistant136regionsofthenetherearth，andthusruleoveranempireinwhichthesunneversets。（Iforgot，inmyenthusiasm，thatoverthoseregionstherewasnosuntoset）。Asforthefantasticalnotionagainstconcedingfameorrenowntoaneminentindividual，because，forsooth，bestowalofhonoursinsurescontestinthepursuitofthem，stimulatesangrypassions，andmarsthefelicityofpeace—itisopposedtotheveryelements，notonlyofthehuman，butofthebrutecreation，whichareall，iftamable，participatorsinthesentimentofpraiseandemulation。Whatrenownwouldbegiventoakingwhothusextendedhisempire！Ishouldbedeemedademigod。"Thinkingofthat，theotherfanaticalnotionofregulatingthislifebyreferencetoonewhich，nodoubt，weChristiansfirmlybelievein，butnevertakeintoconsideration，Iresolvedthatenlightenedphilosophycompelledmetoabolishaheathenreligionsosuperstitiouslyatvariancewithmodernthoughtandpracticalaction。Musingoverthesevariousprojects，IfelthowmuchIshouldhavelikedatthatmomenttobrightenmywitsbyagoodglassofwhiskey—and—water。
　　NotthatIamhabituallyaspirit—drinker，butcertainlytherearetimeswhenalittlestimulantofalcoholicnature，takenwithacigar，enlivenstheimagination。Yes;certainlyamongtheseherbsandfruitstherewouldbealiquidfromwhichonecouldextractapleasantvinousalcohol;andwithasteakcutoffoneofthoseelks（ah！whatoffencetosciencetorejecttheanimalfoodwhichourfirstmedicalmenagreeinrecommendingtothegastricjuicesofmankind！）onewouldcertainlypassamoreexhiliratinghourofrepast。Then，too，insteadofthoseantiquateddramasperformedbychildishamateurs，certainly，whenIamking，Iwillintroduceourmodernoperaanda’corpsdeballet，’forwhichonemightfind，amongthenationsIshallconquer，youngfemalesoflessformidableheightandthewsthantheGy—ei—notarmedwithvril，andnotinsistinguponone’smarryingthem。
　　Iwassocompletelyraptintheseandsimilarreforms，137political，social，andmoral，calculatedtobestowonthepeopleofthenetherworldtheblessingsofacivilisationknowntotheracesoftheupper，thatIdidnotperceivethatZeehadenteredthechambertillIheardadeepsigh，and，raisingmyeyes，beheldherstandingbymycouch。
　　Ineednotsaythat，accordingtothemannersofthispeople，aGycan，withoutindecorum，visitanAninhischamber，althoughanAnwouldbeconsideredforwardandimmodesttothelastdegreeifheenteredthechamberofaGywithoutpreviouslyobtainingherpermissiontodoso。FortunatelyIwasinthefullhabilimentsIhadwornwhenZeehaddepositedmeonthecouch。NeverthelessIfeltmuchirritated，aswellasshocked，byhervisit，andaskedinarudetonewhatshewanted。
　　"Speakgently，belovedone，Ientreatyou，"saidshe，"forIamveryunhappy。Ihavenotsleptsinceweparted。"
　　"Aduesenseofyourshamefulconducttomeasyourfather’sguestmightwellsufficetobanishsleepfromyoureyelids。
　　Wherewastheaffectionyoupretendtohaveforme，wherewaseventhatpolitenessonwhichtheVril—yapridethemselves，when，takingadvantagealikeofthatphysicalstrengthinwhichyoursex，inthisextraordinaryregion，excelsourown，andofthosedetestableandunhallowedpowerswhichtheagenciesofvrilinvestinyoureyesandfinger—ends，youexposedmetohumiliationbeforeyourassembledvisitors，beforeHerRoyalHighness—Imean，thedaughterofyourownchiefmagistrate，—
　　carryingmeofftobedlikeanaughtyinfant，andplungingmeintosleep，withoutaskingmyconsent？"
　　"Ungrateful！Doyoureproachmefortheevidencesofmylove？
　　Canyouthinkthat，evenifunstungbythejealousywhichattendsuponlovetillitfadesawayinblissfultrustwhenweknowthattheheartwehavewooediswon，Icouldbeindifferenttotheperilstowhichtheaudaciousoverturesofthatsillylittlechildmightexposeyou？"
　　138"Hold！Sinceyouintroducethesubjectofperils，itperhapsdoesnotmisbecomemetosaythatmymostimminentperilscomefromyourself，oratleastwouldcomeifIbelievedinyourloveandacceptedyouraddresses。YourfatherhastoldmeplainlythatinthatcaseIshouldbeconsumedintoacinderwithaslittlecompunctionasifIwerethereptilewhomTaeeblastedintoasheswiththeflashofhiswand。"
　　"Donotletthatfearchillyourhearttome，"exclaimedZee，droppingonherkneesandabsorbingmyrighthandinthespaceofheramplepalm。"Itistrue，indeed，thatwetwocannotwedasthoseofthesameracewed;truethatthelovebetweenusmustbepureasthatwhich，inourbelief，existsbetweenloverswhoreuniteinthenewlifebeyondthatboundaryatwhichtheoldlifeends。Butisitnothappinessenoughtobetogether，weddedinmindandinheart？Listen：Ihavejustleftmyfather。Heconsentstoouruniononthoseterms。IhavesufficientinfluencewiththeCollegeofSagestoinsuretheirrequesttotheTurnottointerferewiththefreechoiceofaGy;providedthatherweddingwithoneofanotherracebebuttheweddingofsouls。Oh，thinkyouthattrueloveneedsignobleunion？ItisnotthatIyearnonlytobebyyoursideinthislife，tobepartandparcelofyourjoysandsorrowshere：Iaskhereforatiewhichwillbindusforeverandforeverintheworldofimmortals。Doyourejectme？"
　　Asshespoke，sheknelt，andthewholecharacterofherfacewaschanged;nothingofsternnesslefttoitsgrandeur;adivinelight，asthatofanimmortal，shiningoutfromitshumanbeauty。Butsheratherawedmeasanangelthanmovedmeasawoman，andafteranembarrassedpause，Ifalteredforthevasiveexpressionsofgratitude，andsought，asdelicatelyasIcould，topointouthowhumiliatingwouldbemypositionamongstherraceinthelightofahusbandwhomightneverbepermittedthenameoffather。
　　"But，"saidZee，"thiscommunitydoesnotconstitutethewholeworld。No;nordoallthepopulationscomprisedintheleague139oftheVril—ya。ForthysakeIwillrenouncemycountryandmypeople。Wewillflytogethertosomeregionwherethoushaltbesafe。Iamstrongenoughtobeartheeonmywingsacrossthedesertsthatintervene。Iamskilledenoughtocleaveopen，amidsttherocks，valleysinwhichtobuildourhome。
　　Solitudeandahutwiththeewouldbetomesocietyandtheuniverse。Orwouldstthoureturntothineownworld，abovethesurfaceofthis，exposedtotheuncertainseasons，andlitbutbythechangefulorbswhichconstitutebythydescriptiontheficklecharacterofthosesavageregions？Iso，speaktheword，andIwillforcethewayforthyreturn，sothatIamthycompanionthere，though，thereashere，butpartnerofthysoul，andfellowtravellerwiththeetotheworldinwhichthereisnopartingandnodeath。"
　　Icouldnotbutbedeeplyaffectedbythetenderness，atoncesopureandsoimpassioned，withwhichthesewordswereuttered，andinavoicethatwouldhaverenderedmusicaltheroughestsoundsintherudesttongue。AndforamomentitdidoccurtomethatImightavailmyselfofZee’sagencytoeffectasafeandspeedyreturntotheupperworld。Butaverybriefspaceforreflectionsufficedtoshowmehowdishonourableandbaseareturnforsuchdevotionitwouldbetoallurethusaway，fromherownpeopleandahomeinwhichIhadbeensohospitablytreated，acreaturetowhomourworldwouldbesoabhorrent，andforwhosebarren，ifspirituallove，Icouldnotreconcilemyselftorenouncethemorehumanaffectionofmateslessexaltedabovemyerringself。WiththissentimentofdutytowardstheGycombinedanotherofdutytowardsthewholeraceIbelongedto。CouldIventuretointroduceintotheupperworldabeingsoformidablygifted—abeingthatwithamovementofherstaffcouldinlessthananhourreduceNewYorkanditsgloriousKoom—Poshintoapinchofsnuff？Robherofherstaff，withherscienceshecouldeasilyconstructanother;andwiththedeadlylightningsthatarmedtheslenderengineherwholeframewascharged。Ifthusdangeroustothe140citiesandpopulationsofthewholeupperearth，couldshebeasafecompaniontomyselfincaseheraffectionshouldbesubjectedtochangeorembitteredbyjealousy？Thesethoughts，whichittakessomanywordstoexpress，passedrapidlythroughmybrainanddecidedmyanswer。
　　"Zee，"Isaid，inthesoftesttonesIcouldcommandandpressingrespectfullipsonthehandintowhoseclaspminevanished—"Zee，IcanfindnowordstosayhowdeeplyIamtouched，andhowhighlyIamhonoured，byalovesodisinterestedandself—immolating。Mybestreturntoitisperfectfrankness。Eachnationhasitscustoms。Thecustomsofyoursdonotallowyoutowedme;thecustomsofmineareequallyopposedtosuchaunionbetweenthoseofracessowidelydiffering。Ontheotherhand，thoughnotdeficientincourageamongmyownpeople，oramiddangerswithwhichIamfamiliar，Icannot，withoutashudderofhorror，thinkofconstructingabridalhomeintheheartofsomedismalchaos，withalltheelementsofnature，fireandwater，andmephiticgases，atwarwitheachother，andwiththeprobabilitythatatsomemoment，whileyouwerebusiedincleavingrocksorconveyingvrilintolamps，Ishouldbedevouredbyakrekwhichyouroperationsdisturbedfromitshiding—place。I，amereTish，donotdeservetheloveofaGy，sobrilliant，solearned，sopotentasyourself。Yes，Idonotdeservethatlove，forI
　　cannotreturnit。"
　　Zeereleasedmyhand，rosetoherfeet，andturnedherfaceawaytohideheremotions;thensheglidednoiselesslyalongtheroom，andpausedatthethreshold。Suddenly，impelledasbyanewthought，shereturnedtomysideandsaid，inawhisperedtone，—
　　"Youtoldmeyouwouldspeakwithperfectfrankness。Withperfectfrankness，then，answermethisquestion。Ifyoucannotloveme，doyouloveanother？"
　　"Certainly，Idonot。"
　　"YoudonotloveTaee’ssister？"
　　"Ineversawherbeforelastnight。"
　　141"Thatisnoanswer。Loveisswifterthanvril。Youhesitatetotellme。Donotthinkitisonlyjealousythatpromptsmetocautionyou。IftheTur’sdaughtershoulddeclarelovetoyou—ifinherignorancesheconfidestoherfatheranypreferencethatmayjustifyhisbeliefthatshewillwooyou，hewillhavenooptionbuttorequestyourimmediatedestruction，asheisspeciallychargedwiththedutyofconsultingthegoodofthecommunity，whichcouldnotallowthedaughteroftheVril—yatowedasonoftheTish—a，inthatsenseofmarriagewhichdoesnotconfineitselftounionofthesouls。Alas！therewouldthenbeforyounoescape。Shehasnostrengthofwingtoupholdyouthroughtheair;shehasnosciencewherewithtomakeahomeinthewilderness。Believethatheremyfriendshipspeaks，andthatmyjealousyissilent。"
　　WiththesewordsZeeleftme。Andrecallingthosewords，I
　　thoughtnomoreofsucceedingtothethroneoftheVril—ya，orofthepolitical，social，andmoralreformsIshouldinstituteinthecapacityofAbsoluteSovereign。
　　ChapterXXVI。
　　AftertheconversationwithZeejustrecorded，Ifellintoaprofoundmelancholy。ThecuriousinterestwithwhichIhadhithertoexaminedthelifeandhabitsofthismarvellouscommunitywasatanend。IcouldnotbanishfrommymindtheconsciousnessthatIwasamongapeoplewho，howeverkindandcourteous，coulddestroymeatanymomentwithoutscrupleorcompunction。Thevirtuousandpeacefullifeofthepeoplewhich，whilenewtome，hadseemedsoholyacontrasttothecontentions，thepassions，thevicesoftheupperworld，nowbegantooppressmewithasenseofdulnessandmonotony。Eventheserenetranquilityofthelustrousairpreyedonmy142spirits。Ilongedforachange，eventowinter，orstorm，ordarkness。Ibegantofeelthat，whateverourdreamsofperfectibility，ourrestlessaspirationstowardsabetter，andhigher，andcalmer，sphereofbeing，we，themortalsoftheupperworld，arenottrainedorfittedtoenjoyforlongtheveryhappinessofwhichwedreamortowhichweaspire。
　　Now，inthissocialstateoftheVril—ya，itwassingulartomarkhowitcontrivedtouniteandtoharmoniseintoonesystemnearlyalltheobjectswhichthevariousphilosophersoftheupperworldhaveplacedbeforehumanhopesastheidealsofaUtopianfuture。Itwasastateinwhichwar，withallitscalamities，wasdeemedimpossible，—astateinwhichthefreedomofallandeachwassecuredtotheuttermostdegree，withoutoneofthoseanimositieswhichmakefreedomintheupperworlddependontheperpetualstrifeofhostileparties。
　　Herethecorruptionwhichdebasesdemocracieswasasunknownasthediscontentswhichunderminethethronesofmonarchies。
　　Equalityherewasnotaname;itwasareality。Richeswerenotpersecuted，becausetheywerenotenvied。Herethoseproblemsconnectedwiththelaboursofaworkingclass，hithertoinsolubleaboveground，andabovegroundconducingtosuchbitternessbetweenclasses，weresolvedbyaprocessthesimplest，—adistinctandseparateworkingclasswasdispensedwithaltogether。Mechanicalinventions，constructedontheprinciplesthatbaffledmyresearchtoascertain，workedbyanagencyinfinitelymorepowerfulandinfinitelymoreeasyofmanagementthanaughtwehaveyetextractedfromelectricityorsteam，withtheaidofchildrenwhosestrengthwasneverovertasked，butwholovedtheiremploymentassportandpastime，sufficedtocreateaPublic—wealthsodevotedtothegeneralusethatnotagrumblerwaseverheardof。Thevicesthatrotourcitiesherehadnofooting。Amusementsabounded，buttheywereallinnocent。Nomerry—makingsconducedtointoxication，toriot，todisease。Loveexisted，andwas143ardentinpursuit，butitsobject，oncesecured，wasfaithful。
　　Theadulterer，theprofligate，theharlot，werephenomenasounknowninthiscommonwealth，thateventofindthewordsbywhichtheyweredesignatedonewouldhavehadtosearchthroughoutanobsoleteliteraturecomposedthousandsofyearsbefore。Theywhohavebeenstudentsoftheoreticalphilosophiesaboveground，knowthatallthesestrangedeparturesfromcivilisedlifedobutrealiseideaswhichhavebeenbroached，canvassed，ridiculed，contestedfor;sometimespartiallytried，andstillputforthinfantasticbooks，buthavenevercometopracticalresult。Norweretheseallthestepstowardstheoreticalperfectibilitywhichthiscommunityhadmade。IthadbeenthesoberbeliefofDescartesthatthelifeofmancouldbeprolonged，not，indeed，onthisearth，toeternalduration，buttowhathecalledtheageofthepatriarchs，andmodestlydefinedtobefrom100to150yearsaveragelength。Well，eventhisdreamofsageswasherefulfilled—nay，morethanfulfilled;forthevigourofmiddlelifewaspreservedevenafterthetermofacenturywaspassed。
　　Withthislongevitywascombinedagreaterblessingthanitself—thatofcontinuoushealth。Suchdiseasesasbefelltheracewereremovedwitheasebyscientificapplicationsofthatagency—life—givingaslife—destroying—whichisinherentinvril。Eventhisideaisnotunknownaboveground，thoughithasgenerallybeenconfinedtoenthusiastsorcharlatans，andemanatesfromconfusednotionsaboutmesmerism，odicforce，&c。
　　Passingbysuchtrivialcontrivancesaswings，whicheveryschoolboyknowshasbeentriedandfoundwanting，fromthemythicalorpre—historicalperiod，Iproceedtothatverydelicatequestion，urgedoflateasessentialtotheperfecthappinessofourhumanspeciesbythetwomostdisturbingandpotentialinfluencesonupper—groundsociety，—WomankindandPhilosophy。Imean，theRightsofWomen。
　　Now，itisallowedbyjurisprudiststhatitisidletotalkofrightswheretherearenotcorrespondingpowerstoenforce144them;andaboveground，forsomereasonorother，man，inhisphysicalforce，intheuseofweaponsoffensiveanddefensive，whenitcometopositivepersonalcontest，can，asaruleofgeneralapplication，masterwomen。Butamongthispeopletherecanbenodoubtabouttherightsofwomen，because，asIhavebeforesaid，theGy，physicallyspeaking，isbiggerandstrongerthantheAn;andherwillbeingalsomoreresolutethanhis，andwillbeingessentialtothedirectionofthevrilforce，shecanbringtobearuponhim，morepotentlythanheonherself，themysticalagencywhichartcanextractfromtheoccultpropertiesofnature。Thereforeallthatourfemalephilosophersabovegroundcontendforastorightsofwomen，isconcededasamatterofcourseinthishappycommonwealth。
　　Besidessuchphysicalpowers，theGy—eihave（atleastinyouth）akeendesireforaccomplishmentsandlearningwhichexceedsthatofthemale;andthustheyarethescholars，theprofessors—thelearnedportion，inshort，ofthecommunity。
　　Ofcourse，inthisstateofsocietythefemaleestablishes，asIhaveshown，hermostvaluedprivilege，thatofchoosingandcourtingherweddingpartner。Withoutthatprivilegeshewoulddespisealltheothers。Now，aboveground，weshouldnotunreasonablyapprehendthatafemale，thuspotentandthusprivileged，whenshehadfairlyhuntedusdownandmarriedus，wouldbeveryimperiousandtyrannical。NotsowiththeGy—ei：
　　oncemarried，thewingsoncesuspended，andmoreamiable，complacent，docilemates，moresympathetic，moresinkingtheirloftiercapacitiesintothestudyoftheirhusbands’
　　comparativelyfrivoloustastesandwhims，nopoetcouldconceiveinhisvisionsofconjugalbliss。Lastly，amongthemoreimportantcharacteristicsoftheVril—ya，asdistinguishedfromourmankind—lastly，andmostimportantonthebearingsoftheirlifeandthepeaceoftheircommonwealths，istheiruniversalagreementintheexistenceofamercifulbeneficentDiety，andofafutureworldtothedurationofwhichacentury145ortwoaremomentstoobrieftowasteuponthoughtsoffameandpowerandavarice;whilewiththatagreementiscombinedanother—viz。，sincetheycanknownothingastothenatureofthatDietybeyondthefactofHissupremegoodness，norofthatfutureworldbeyondthefactofitsfelicitousexistence，sotheirreasonforbidsallangrydisputesoninsolublequestions。
　　Thustheysecureforthatstateinthebowelsoftheearthwhatnocommunityeversecuredunderthelightofthestars—alltheblessingsandconsolationsofareligionwithoutanyoftheevilsandcalamitieswhichareengenderedbystrifebetweenonereligionandanother。
　　Itwouldbe，then，utterlyimpossibletodenythatthestateofexistenceamongtheVril—yaisthus，asawhole，immeasurablymorefelicitousthanthatofsuper—terrestrialraces，and，realisingthedreamsofourmostsanguinephilanthropists，almostapproachestoapoet’sconceptionofsomeangelicalorder。Andyet，ifyouwouldtakeathousandofthebestandmostphilosophicalofhumanbeingsyoucouldfindinLondon，Paris，Berlin，NewYork，orevenBoston，andplacethemascitizensinthebeatifiedcommunity，mybeliefis，thatinlessthanayeartheywouldeitherdieofennui，orattemptsomerevolutionbywhichtheywouldmilitateagainstthegoodofthecommunity，andbeburntintocindersattherequestoftheTur。
　　CertainlyIhavenodesiretoinsinuate，throughthemediumofthisnarrative，anyignorantdisparagementoftheracetowhichIbelong。Ihave，onthecontrary，endeavouredtomakeitclearthattheprincipleswhichregulatethesocialsystemoftheVril—yaforbidthemtoproducethoseindividualexamplesofhumangreatnesswhichadorntheannalsoftheupperworld。
　　WheretherearenowarstherecanbenoHannibal，noWashington，noJackson，noSheridan;—wherestatesaresohappythattheyfearnodangeranddesirenochange，theycannotgivebirthtoaDemosthenes，aWebster，aSumner，aWendellHolmes，oraButler;andwhereasocietyattainstoamoralstandard，146inwhichtherearenocrimesandnosorrowsfromwhichtragedycanextractitsalimentofpityandsorrow，nosalientvicesorfolliesonwhichcomedycanlavishitsmirthfulsatire，ithaslostthechanceofproducingaShakespeare，oraMoliere，oraMrs。Beecher—Stowe。ButifIhavenodesiretodisparagemyfellow—menabovegroundinshowinghowmuchthemotivesthatimpeltheenergiesandambitionofindividualsinasocietyofcontestandstruggle—becomedormantorannulledinasocietywhichaimsatsecuringfortheaggregatethecalmandinnocentfelicitywhichwepresumetobethelotofbeatifiedimmortals;
　　neither，ontheotherhand，haveIthewishtorepresentthecommonwealthsoftheVril—yaasanidealformofpoliticalsociety，totheattainmentofwhichourowneffortsofreformshouldbedirected。Onthecontrary，itisbecausewehavesocombined，throughouttheseriesofages，theelementswhichcomposehumancharacter，thatitwouldbeutterlyimpossibleforustoadoptthemodesoflife，ortoreconcileourpassionstothemodesofthoughtamongtheVril—ya，—thatIarrivedattheconvictionthatthispeople—thoughoriginallynotonlyofourhumanrace，but，asseemstomeclearbytherootsoftheirlanguage，descendedfromthesameancestorsastheGreatAryanfamily，fromwhichinvariedstreamshasflowedthedominantcivilisationoftheworld;andhaving，accordingtotheirmythsandtheirhistory，passedthroughphasesofsocietyfamiliartoourselves，—hadyetnowdevelopedintoadistinctspecieswithwhichitwasimpossiblethatanycommunityintheupperworldcouldamalgamate：andthatiftheyeveremergedfromthesenetherrecessesintothelightofday，theywould，accordingtotheirowntraditionalpersuasionsoftheirultimatedestiny，destroyandreplaceourexistentvarietiesofman。
　　Itmay，indeed，besaid，sincemorethanoneGycouldbefoundtoconceiveapartialityforsoordinaryatypeofoursuper—terrestrialraceasmyself，thateveniftheVril—yadid147appearaboveground，wemightbesavedfromexterminationbyintermixtureofrace。Butthisistoosanguineabelief。
　　Instancesofsuch’mesalliance’wouldbeasrareasthoseofintermarriagebetweentheAnglo—SaxonemigrantsandtheRedIndians。Norwouldtimebeallowedfortheoperationoffamiliarintercourse。TheVril—ya，onemerging，inducedbythecharmofasunlitheaventoformtheirsettlementsaboveground，wouldcommenceatoncetheworkofdestruction，seizeupontheterritoriesalreadycultivated，andclearoff，withoutscruple，alltheinhabitantswhoresistedthatinvasion。AndconsideringtheircontemptfortheinstitutionsofKoom—PoshorPopularGovernment，andthepugnaciousvalourofmybelovedcountrymen，IbelievethatiftheVril—yafirstappearedinfreeAmerica—as，beingthechoicestportionofthehabitableearth，theywoulddoubtlessbeinducedtodo—andsaid，"Thisquarteroftheglobewetake;CitizensofaKoom—Posh，makewayforthedevelopmentofspeciesintheVril—ya，"mybravecompatriotswouldshowfight，andnotasoulofthemwouldbeleftinthislife，torallyroundtheStarsandStripes，attheendofaweek。
　　InowsawbutlittleofZee，saveatmeals，whenthefamilyassembled，andshewasthenreservedandsilent。MyapprehensionsofdangerfromanaffectionIhadsolittleencouragedordeserved，therefore，nowfadedaway，butmydejectioncontinuedtoincrease。Ipinedforescapetotheupperworld，butIrackedmybrainsinvainforanymeanstoeffectit。Iwasneverpermittedtowanderforthalone，sothatIcouldnotevenvisitthespotonwhichIhadalighted，andseeifitwerepossibletoreascendtothemine。NorevenintheSilentHours，whenthehouseholdwaslockedinsleep，couldIhaveletmyselfdownfromtheloftyfloorinwhichmyapartmentwasplaced。Iknewnothowtocommandtheautomatawhostoodmockinglyatmybeckbesidethewall，norcouldI
　　ascertainthespringsbywhichweresetinmovementtheplatformsthatsuppliedtheplaceofstairs。Theknowledgehow148toavailmyselfofthesecontrivanceshadbeenpurposelywithheldfromme。Oh，thatIcouldbuthavelearnedtheuseofwings，sofreelyhereattheserviceofeveryinfant，thenI
　　mighthaveescapedfromthecasement，regainedtherocks，andbuoyedmyselfaloftthroughthechasmofwhichtheperpendicularsidesforbadeplaceforhumanfooting！
　　ChapterXXVII。
　　Oneday，asIsataloneandbroodinginmychamber，Taeeflewinattheopenwindowandalightedonthecouchbesideme。I
　　wasalwayspleasedwiththevisitsofachild，inwhosesociety，ifhumbled，IwaslesseclipsedthaninthatofAnawhohadcompletedtheireducationandmaturedtheirunderstanding。AndasIwaspermittedtowanderforthwithhimformycompanion，andasIlongedtorevisitthespotinwhichIhaddescendedintothenetherworld，Ihastenedtoaskhimifhewereatleisureforastrollbeyondthestreetsofthecity。
　　Hiscountenanceseemedtomegraverthanusualashereplied，"Icamehitheronpurposetoinviteyouforth。"
　　Wesoonfoundourselvesinthestreet，andhadnotgotfarfromthehousewhenweencounteredfiveorsixyoungGy—ei，whowerereturningfromthefieldswithbasketsfullofflowers，andchantingasonginchorusastheywalked。AyoungGysingsmoreoftenthanshetalks。Theystoppedonseeingus，accostingTaeewithfamiliarkindness，andmewiththecourteousgallantrywhichdistinguishestheGy—eiintheirmannertowardsourweakersex。
　　AndhereImayobservethat，thoughavirginGyissofrankinhercourtshiptotheindividualshefavours，thereisnothingthatapproachestothatgeneralbreadthandloudnessofmannerwhichthoseyoungladiesoftheAnglo—Saxonrace，towhomthe149distinguishedepithetof’fast’isaccorded，exhibittowardsyounggentlemenwhomtheydonotprofesstolove。No;thebearingoftheGy—eitowardsmalesinordinaryisverymuchthatofhigh—bredmeninthegallantsocietiesoftheupperworldtowardsladieswhomtheyrespectbutdonotwoo;
　　deferential，complimentary，exquisitelypolished—whatweshouldcall’chivalrous。’
　　CertainlyIwasalittleputoutbythenumberofcivilthingsaddressedtomy’amourpropre，’whichweresaidtomebythosecourteousyoungGy—ei。IntheworldIcamefrom，amanwouldhavethoughthimselfaggrieved，treatedwithirony，’chaffed’
　　（ifsovulgaraslangwordmaybeallowedontheauthorityofthepopularnovelistswhouseitsofreely），whenonefairGycomplimentedmeonthefreshnessofmycomplexion，anotheronthechoiceofcoloursinmydress，athird，withaslysmile，ontheconquestsIhadmadeatAph—Lin’sentertainment。ButI
　　knewalreadythatallsuchlanguagewaswhattheFrenchcall’banal，’anddidbutexpressinthefemalemouth，belowearth，thatsortofdesiretopassforamiablewiththeoppositesexwhich，aboveearth，arbitrarycustomandhereditarytransmissiondemonstratebythemouthofthemale。Andjustasahigh—bredyounglady，aboveearth，habituatedtosuchcompliments，feelsthatshecannot，withoutimpropriety，returnthem，norevinceanygreatsatisfactionatreceivingthem;soI
　　whohadlearnedpolitemannersatthehouseofsowealthyanddignifiedaMinisterofthatnation，couldbutsmileandtrytolookprettyinbashfullydisclaimingthecomplimentsshowereduponme。Whilewewerethustalking，Taee’ssister，itseems，hadseenusfromtheupperroomsoftheRoyalPalaceattheentranceofthetown，and，precipitatingherselfonherwings，alightedinthemidstofthegroup。
　　Singlingmeout，shesaid，thoughstillwiththeinimitabledeferenceofmannerwhichIhavecalled’chivalrous，’yetnotwithoutacertainabruptnessoftonewhich，asaddressedtotheweakersex，SirPhilipSydneymighthavetermed’rustic，’"Whydoyounevercometoseeus？"
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　　WhileIwasdeliberatingontherightanswertogivetothisunlooked—forquestion，Taeesaidquicklyandsternly，"Sister，youforget—thestrangerisofmysex。Itisnotforpersonsofmysex，havingdueregardforreputationandmodesty，tolowerthemselvesbyrunningafterthesocietyofyours。"
　　ThisspeechwasreceivedwithevidentapprovalbytheyoungGy—eiingeneral;butTaee’ssisterlookedgreatlyabashed。
　　Poorthing！—andaPRINCESStoo！
　　Justatthismomentashadowfellonthespacebetweenmeandthegroup;and，turninground，Ibeheldthechiefmagistratecomingcloseuponus，withthesilentandstatelypacepeculiartotheVril—ya。Atthesightofhiscountenance，thesameterrorwhichhadseizedmewhenIfirstbehelditreturned。Onthatbrow，inthoseeyes，therewasthatsameindefinablesomethingwhichmarkedthebeingofaracefataltoourown—
　　thatstrangeexpressionofsereneexemptionfromourcommoncaresandpassions，ofconscioussuperiorpower，compassionateandinflexibleasthatofajudgewhopronouncesdoom。I
　　shivered，and，inclininglow，pressedthearmofmychild—friend，anddrewhimonwardsilently。TheTurplacedhimselfbeforeourpath，regardedmeforamomentwithoutspeaking，thenturnedhiseyequietlyonhisdaughter’sface，and，withagravesalutationtoherandtheotherGy—ei，wentthroughthemidstofthegroup，—stillwithoutaword。
　　ChapterXXVIII。
　　WhenTaeeandIfoundourselvesaloneonthebroadroadthatlaybetweenthecityandthechasmthroughwhichIhaddescendedintothisregionbeneaththelightofthestarsandsun，Isaidundermybreath，"Childandfriend，thereisalook151inyourfather’sfacewhichappalsme。Ifeelasif，initsawfultranquillity，Igazedupondeath。"
　　Taeedidnotimmediatelyreply。Heseemedagitated，andasifdebatingwithhimselfbywhatwordstosoftensomeunwelcomeintelligence。Atlasthesaid，"NoneoftheVril—yafeardeath：doyou？"
　　"ThedreadofdeathisimplantedinthebreastsoftheracetowhichIbelong。Wecanconqueritatthecallofduty，ofhonour，oflove。Wecandieforatruth，foranativeland，forthosewhoaredearertousthanourselves。Butifdeathdoreallythreatenmenowandhere，wherearesuchcounteractionstothenaturalinstinctwhichinvestswithaweandterrorthecontemplationofseverancebetweensoulandbody？"
　　Taeelookedsurprised，buttherewasgreattendernessinhisvoiceashereplied，"Iwilltellmyfatherwhatyousay。I
　　willentreathimtospareyourlife。"
　　"Hehas，then，alreadydecreedtodestroyit？"
　　"’Tismysister’sfaultorfolly，"saidTaee，withsomepetulance。"Butshespokethismorningtomyfather;and，aftershehadspoken，hesummonedme，asachiefamongthechildrenwhoarecommissionedtodestroysuchlivesasthreatenthecommunity，andhesaidtome，’Takethyvrilstaff，andseekthestrangerwhohasmadehimselfdeartothee。Behisendpainlessandprompt。’"
　　"And，"Ifaltered，recoilingfromthechild—"anditis，then，formymurderthatthustreacherouslythouhastinvitedmeforth？No，Icannotbelieveit。Icannotthinktheeguiltyofsuchacrime。"
　　"Itisnocrimetoslaythosewhothreatenthegoodofthecommunity;itwouldbeacrimetoslaythesmallestinsectthatcannotharmus。"
　　"IfyoumeanthatIthreatenthegoodofthecommunitybecauseyoursisterhonoursmewiththesortofpreferencewhichachildmayfeelforastrangeplaything，itisnotnecessarytokillme。LetmereturntothepeopleIhaveleft，andbythechasmthroughwhichIdescended。WithaslighthelpfromyouI
　　152mightdosonow。You，bytheaidofyourwings，couldfastentotherockyledgewithinthechasmthecordthatyoufound，andhavenodoubtpreserved。Dobutthat;assistmebuttothespotfromwhichIalighted，andIvanishfromyourworldforever，andassurelyasifIwereamongthedead。"
　　"Thechasmthroughwhichyoudescended！Lookround;westandnowontheveryplacewhereityawned。Whatseeyou？Onlysolidrock。Thechasmwasclosed，bytheordersofAph—Lin，assoonascommunicationbetweenhimandyourselfwasestablishedinyourtrance，andhelearnedfromyourownlipsthenatureoftheworldfromwhichyoucame。DoyounotrememberwhenZeebademenotquestionyouastoyourselforyourrace？Onquittingyouthatday，Aph—Linaccostedme，andsaid，’Nopathbetweenthestranger’shomeandoursshouldbeleftunclosed，orthesorrowandevilofhishomemaydescendtoours。Takewiththeethechildrenofthyband，smitethesidesofthecavernwithyourvrilstavestillthefalloftheirfragmentsfillsupeverychinkthroughwhichagleamofourlampscouldforceitsway。’"
　　Asthechildspoke，Istaredaghastattheblindrocksbeforeme。Hugeandirregular，thegranitemasses，showingbycharreddiscolourationwheretheyhadbeenshattered，rosefromfootingtoroof—top;notacranny！
　　"Allhope，then，isgone，"Imurmured，sinkingdownonthecraggywayside，"andIshallnevermoreseethesun。"Icoveredmyfacewithmyhands，andprayedtoHimwhosepresenceIhadsooftenforgottenwhentheheavenshaddeclaredHishandiwork。
　　IfeltHispresenceinthedepthsofthenetherearth，andamidsttheworldofthegrave。Ilookedup，takingcomfortandcouragefrommyprayers，and，gazingwithaquietsmileintothefaceofthechild，said，"Now，ifthoumustslayme，strike。"
　　Taeeshookhisheadgently。"Nay，"hesaid，"myfather’srequestisnotsoformallymadeastoleavemenochoice。I
　　willspeakwithhim，andmayprevailtosavethee。Strange153thatthoushouldsthavethatfearofdeathwhichwethoughtwasonlytheinstinctoftheinferiorcreatures，towhomtheconvictionsofanotherlifehasnotbeenvouchsafed。Withus，notaninfantknowssuchafear。Tellme，mydearTish，"hecontinuedafteralittlepause，"woulditreconciletheemoretodeparturefromthisformoflifetothatformwhichliesontheothersideofthemomentcalled’death，’didIsharethyjourney？Ifso，Iwillaskmyfatherwhetheritbeallowableformetogowiththee。Iamoneofourgenerationdestinedtoemigrate，whenofageforit，tosomeregionsunknownwithinthisworld。Iwouldjustassoonemigratenowtoregionsunknown，inanotherworld。TheAll—Goodisnolesstherethanhere。Whereishenot？"
　　"Child，"saidI，seeingbyTaee’scountenancethathespokeinseriousearnest，"itiscrimeintheetoslayme;itwereacrimenotlessinmetosay，’Slaythyself。’TheAll—GoodchoosesHisowntimetogiveuslife，andhisowntimetotakeitaway。Letusgoback。If，onspeakingwiththyfather，hedecidesonmydeath，givemethelongestwarninginthypower，sothatImaypasstheintervalinself—preparation。"
　　ChapterXXIX。
　　InthemidstofthosehourssetapartforsleepandconstitutingthenightoftheVril—ya，IwasawakenedfromthedisturbedslumberintowhichIhadnotlongfallen，byahandonmyshoulder。IstartedandbeheldZeestandingbesideme。
　　154"Hush，"shesaidinawhisper;letnoonehearus。DostthouthinkthatIhaveceasedtowatchoverthysafetybecauseI
　　couldnotwinthylove？IhaveseenTaee。Hehasnotprevailedwithhisfather，whohadmeanwhileconferredwiththethreesageswho，indoubtfulmatters，hetakesintocouncil，andbytheiradvicehehasordainedtheetoperishwhentheworldre—awakenstolife。Iwillsavethee。Riseanddress。"
　　ZeepointedtoatablebythecouchonwhichIsawtheclothesIhadwornonquittingtheupperworld，andwhichIhadexchangedsubsequentlyforthemorepicturesquegarmentsoftheVril—ya。TheyoungGythenmovedtowardsthecasementandsteppedintothebalcony，whilehastilyandwonderinglyI
　　donnedmyownhabiliments。WhenIjoinedheronthebalcony，herfacewaspaleandrigid。Takingmebythehand，shesaidsoftly，"SeehowbrightlytheartoftheVril—yahaslighteduptheworldinwhichtheydwell。To—morrowtheworldwillbedarktome。"Shedrewmebackintotheroomwithoutwaitingformyanswer，thenceintothecorridor，fromwhichwedescendedintothehall。Wepassedintothedesertedstreetsandalongthebroadupwardroadwhichwoundbeneaththerocks。Here，wherethereisneitherdaynornight，theSilentHoursareunutterablysolemn—thevastspaceilluminedbymortalskillissowhollywithoutthesightandstirofmortallife。Softaswereourfootsteps，theirsoundsvexedtheear，asoutofharmonywiththeuniversalrepose。Iwasawareinmyownmind，thoughZeesaiditnot，thatshehaddecidedtoassistmyreturntotheupperworld，andthatwewereboundtowardstheplacefromwhichIhaddescended。Hersilenceinfectedmeandcommandedmine。Andnowweapproachedthechasm。Ithadbeenre—opened;notpresenting，indeed，thesameaspectaswhenI
　　hademergedfromit，butthroughthatclosedwallofrockbeforewhichIhadlaststoodwithTaee，anewclifthadbeenriven，andalongitsblackenedsidesstillglimmeredsparksandsmoulderedembers。Myupwardgazecouldnot，however，155penetratemorethanafewfeetintothedarknessofthehollowvoid，andIstooddismayed，andwonderinghowthatgrimascentwastobemade。
　　Zeedivinedmydoubt。"Fearnot，"saidshe，withafaintsmile;"yourreturnisassured。IbeganthisworkwhentheSilentHourscommenced，andallelsewereasleep;believethatIdidnotpausedtillthepathbackintothyworldwasclear。
　　Ishallbewiththeealittlewhileyet。Wedonotpartuntilthousayest，’Go，forIneedtheenomore。’"
　　Myheartsmotemewithremorseatthesewords。"Ah！"Iexclaimed，"wouldthatthouwertofmyraceorIofthine，thenIshouldneversay，"Ineedtheenomore。’"
　　"Iblesstheeforthosewords，andIshallrememberthemwhenthouartgone，"answeredtheGy，tenderly。
　　Duringthisbriefinterchangeofwords，Zeehadturnedawayfromme，herformbentandherheadbowedoverherbreast。
　　Now，sherosetothefullheightofhergrandstature，andstoodfrontingme。Whileshehadbeenthusavertedfrommygaze，shehadlightedupthecircletthatsheworeroundherbrow，sothatitblazedasifitwereacrownofstars。Notonlyherfaceandherform，buttheatmospherearound，wereilluminedbytheeffulgenceofthediadem。
　　"Now，"saidshe，"putthinearmaroundmeforthefirstandlasttime。Nay，thus;courage，andclingfirm。"
　　Asshespokeherformdilated，thevastwingsexpanded。
　　Clingingtoher，Iwasbornealoftthroughtheterriblechasm。
　　Thestarrylightfromherforeheadshotaroundandbeforeusthroughthedarkness。Brightlyandsteadfastly，andswiftlyasanangelmaysoarheavenwardwiththesoulitrescuesfromthegrave，wenttheflightoftheGy，tillIheardinthedistancethehumofhumanvoices，thesoundsofhumantoil。Wehaltedontheflooringofoneofthegalleriesofthemine，andbeyond，inthevista，burnedthedim，feeblelampsoftheminers。
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　　ThenIreleasedmyhold。TheGykissedmeonmyforehead，passionately，butaswithamother’spassion，andsaid，asthetearsgushedfromhereyes，"Farewellforever。Thouwiltnotletmegointothyworld—thoucanstneverreturntomine。Ereourhouseholdshakeoffslumber，therockswillhaveagainclosedoverthechasmnottobere—openedbyme，norperhapsbyothers，foragesyetunguessed。Thinkofmesometimes，andwithkindness。WhenIreachthelifethatliesbeyondthisspeckintime，Ishalllookroundforthee。Eventhere，theworldconsignedtothyselfandthypeoplemayhaverocksandgulfswhichdivideitfromthatinwhichIrejointhoseofmyracethathavegonebefore，andImaybepowerlesstocleavewaytoregaintheeasIhaveclovenwaytolose。"
　　Hervoiceceased。Iheardtheswan—likesoughofherwings，andsawtheraysofherstarrydiademrecedingfarandfartherthroughthegloom。
　　Isatemyselfdownforsometime，musingsorrowfully;thenI
　　roseandtookmywaywithslowfootstepstowardstheplaceinwhichIheardthesoundsofmen。TheminersIencounteredwerestrangetome，ofanothernationthanmyown。Theyturnedtolookatmewithsomesurprise，butfindingthatIcouldnotanswertheirbriefquestionsintheirownlanguage，theyreturnedtotheirworkandsufferedmetopassonunmolested。
　　Infine，Iregainedthemouthofthemine，littletroubledbyotherinterrogatories;—savethoseofafriendlyofficialtowhomIwasknown，andluckilyhewastoobusytotalkmuchwithme。Itookcarenottoreturntomyformerlodging，buthastenedthatverydaytoquitaneighbourhoodwhereIcouldnotlonghaveescapedinquiriestowhichIcouldhavegivennosatisfactoryanswers。Iregainedinsafetymyowncountry，inwhichIhavebeenlongpeacefullysettled，andengagedinpracticalbusiness，tillIretiredonacompetentfortune，threeyearsago。Ihavebeenlittleinvitedandlittletemptedtotalkoftherovingsandadventuresofmyyouth。Somewhat157disappointed，asmostmenare，inmattersconnectedwithhouseholdloveanddomesticlife，IoftenthinkoftheyoungGyasIsitaloneatnight，andwonderhowIcouldhaverejectedsuchalove，nomatterwhatdangersattendedit，orbywhatconditionsitwasrestricted。Only，themoreIthinkofapeoplecalmlydeveloping，inregionsexcludedfromoursightanddeemeduninhabitablebyoursages，powerssurpassingourmostdisciplinedmodesofforce，andvirtuestowhichourlife，socialandpolitical，becomesantagonisticinproportionasourcivilisationadvances，—themoredevoutlyIpraythatagesmayyetelapsebeforethereemergeintosunlightourinevitabledestroyers。Being，however，franklytoldbymyphysicianthatIamafflictedbyacomplaintwhich，thoughitgiveslittlepainandnoperceptiblenoticeofitsencroachments，mayatanymomentbefatal，Ihavethoughtitmydutytomyfellow—mentoplaceonrecordtheseforewarningsofTheComingRace。