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extended his empire！ I should be deemed a demigod。〃 Thinking of that； the
other fanatical notion of regulating this life by reference to one which； no
doubt； we Christians firmly believe in； but never take into consideration； I
resolved that enlightened philosophy compelled me to abolish a heathen
religion so superstitiously at variance with modern thought and practical
action。 Musing over these various projects； I felt how much I should
have liked at that moment to brighten my wits by a good glass of whiskey…
and…water。 Not that I am habitually a spirit…drinker； but certainly there are
times when a little stimulant of alcoholic nature； taken with a cigar；
enlivens the imagination。 Yes； certainly among these herbs and fruits
there would be a liquid from which one could extract a pleasant vinous
alcohol； and with a steak cut off one of those elks （ah！ what offence to
science to reject the animal food which our first medical men agree in
recommending to the gastric juices of mankind！） one would certainly pass
a more exhilirating hour of repast。 Then； too； instead of those antiquated
dramas performed by childish amateurs； certainly； when I am king； I will
introduce our modern opera and a 'corps de ballet；' for which one might
find； among the nations I shall conquer； young females of less formidable
height and thews than the Gy…ei… not armed with vril； and not insisting
upon one's marrying them。
I was so completely rapt in these and similar reforms； 137political；
social； and moral； calculated to bestow on the people of the nether world
the blessings of a civilisation known to the races of the upper； that I did
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The Coming Race
not perceive that Zee had entered the chamber till I heard a deep sigh； and；
raising my eyes； beheld her standing by my couch。
I need not say that； according to the manners of this people； a Gy can；
without indecorum； visit an An in his chamber； although an An would be
considered forward and immodest to the last degree if he entered the
chamber of a Gy without previously obtaining her permission to do so。
Fortunately I was in the full habiliments I had worn when Zee had
deposited me on the couch。 Nevertheless I felt much irritated； as well as
shocked； by her visit； and asked in a rude tone what she wanted。
〃Speak gently； beloved one； I entreat you；〃 said she； 〃for I am very
unhappy。 I have not slept since we parted。〃
〃A due sense of your shameful conduct to me as your father's guest
might well suffice to banish sleep from your eyelids。 Where was the
affection you pretend to have for me； where was even that politeness on
which the Vril…ya pride themselves； when； taking advantage alike of that
physical strength in which your sex； in this extraordinary region； excels
our own； and of those detestable and unhallowed powers which the
agencies of vril invest in your eyes and finger…ends； you exposed me to
humiliation before your assembled visitors； before Her Royal Highness… I
mean； the daughter of your own chief magistrate；… carrying me off to bed
like a naughty infant； and plunging me into sleep； without asking my
consent？〃
〃Ungrateful！ Do you reproach me for the evidences of my love？ Can
you think that； even if unstung by the jealousy which attends upon love till
it fades away in blissful trust when we know that the heart we have wooed
is won； I could be indifferent to the perils to which the audacious overtures
of that silly little child might expose you？〃
138〃Hold！ Since you introduce the subject of perils； it perhaps does
not misbecome me to say that my most imminent perils come from
yourself； or at least would come if I believed in your love and accepted
your addresses。 Your father has told me plainly that in that case I should
be consumed into a cinder with as little compunction as if I were the
reptile whom Taee blasted into ashes with the flash of his wand。〃
〃Do not let that fear chill your heart to me；〃 exclaimed Zee； dropping
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The Coming Race
on her knees and absorbing my right hand in the space of her ample palm。
〃It is true； indeed； that we two cannot wed as those of the same race wed；
true that the love between us must be pure as that which； in our belief；
exists between lovers who reunite in the new life beyond that boundary at
which the old life ends。 But is it not happiness enough to be together；
wedded in mind and in heart？ Listen： I have just left my father。 He
consents to our union on those terms。 I have sufficient influence with the
College of Sages to insure their request to the Tur not to interfere with the
free choice of a Gy； provided that her wedding with one of another race be
but the wedding of souls。 Oh； think you that true love needs ignoble
union？ It is not that I yearn only to be by your side in this life； to be part
and parcel of your joys and sorrows here： I ask here for a tie which will
bind us for ever and for ever in the world of immortals。 Do you reject
me？〃
As she spoke； she knelt； and the whole character of her face was
changed； nothing of sternness left to its grandeur； a divine light； as that of
an immortal； shining out from its human beauty。 But she rather awed me
as an angel than moved me as a woman； and after an embarrassed pause； I
faltered forth evasive expressions of gratitude； and sought； as delicately as
I could； to point out how humiliating would be my position amongst her
race in the light of a husband who might never be permitted the name of
father。
〃But；〃 said Zee； 〃this community does not constitute the whole world。
No； nor do all the populations comprised in the league 139of the Vril…ya。
For thy sake I will renounce my country and my people。 We will fly
together to some region where thou shalt be safe。 I am strong enough to
bear thee on my wings across the deserts that intervene。 I am skilled
enough to cleave open； amidst the r