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。
