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bear thee on my wings across the deserts that intervene。 I am skilled
enough to cleave open； amidst the rocks； valleys in which to build our
home。 Solitude and a hut with thee would be to me society and the
universe。 Or wouldst thou return to thine own world； above the surface
of this； exposed to the uncertain seasons； and lit but by the changeful orbs
which constitute by thy description the fickle character of those savage
regions？ I so； speak the word； and I will force the way for thy return； so
that I am thy companion there； though； there as here； but partner of thy
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soul； and fellow traveller with thee to the world in which there is no
parting and no death。〃
I could not but be deeply affected by the tenderness； at once so pure
and so impassioned； with which these words were uttered； and in a voice
that would have rendered musical the roughest sounds in the rudest tongue。
And for a moment it did occur to me that I might avail myself of Zee's
agency to effect a safe and speedy return to the upper world。 But a very
brief space for reflection sufficed to show me how dishonourable and base
a return for such devotion it would be to allure thus away； from her own
people and a home in which I had been so hospitably treated； a creature to
whom our world would be so abhorrent； and for whose barren； if spiritual
love； I could not reconcile myself to renounce the more human affection
of mates less exalted above my erring self。 With this sentiment of duty
towards the Gy combined another of duty towards the whole race I
belonged to。 Could I venture to introduce into the upper world a being so
formidably gifted… a being that with a movement of her staff could in less
than an hour reduce New York and its glorious Koom…Posh into a pinch of
snuff？ Rob her of her staff； with her science she could easily construct
another； and with the deadly lightnings that armed the slender engine her
whole frame was charged。 If thus dangerous to the 140cities and
populations of the whole upper earth； could she be a safe companion to
myself in case her affection should be subjected to change or embittered
by jealousy？ These thoughts； which it takes so many words to express；
passed rapidly through my brain and decided my answer。
〃Zee；〃 I said； in the softest tones I could command and pressing
respectful lips on the hand into whose clasp mine vanished… 〃Zee； I can
find no words to say how deeply I am touched； and how highly I am
honoured； by a love so disinterested and self…immolating。 My best return
to it is perfect frankness。 Each nation has its customs。 The customs of
yours do not allow you to wed me； the customs of mine are equally
opposed to such a union between those of races so widely differing。 On
the other hand； though not deficient in courage among my own people； or
amid dangers with which I am familiar； I cannot； without a shudder of
horror； think of constructing a bridal home in the heart of some dismal
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chaos； with all the elements of nature； fire and water； and mephitic gases；
at war with each other； and with the probability that at some moment；
while you were busied in cleaving rocks or conveying vril into lamps； I
should be devoured by a krek which your operations disturbed from its
hiding…place。 I； a mere Tish； do not deserve the love of a Gy； so
brilliant； so learned； so potent as yourself。 Yes； I do not deserve that
love； for I cannot return it。〃
Zee released my hand； rose to her feet； and turned her face away to
hide her emotions； then she glided noiselessly along the room； and paused
at the threshold。 Suddenly； impelled as by a new thought； she returned to
my side and said； in a whispered tone；…
〃You told me you would speak with perfect frankness。 With perfect
frankness； then； answer me this question。 If you cannot love me； do you
love another？〃
〃Certainly； I do not。〃
〃You do not love Taee's sister？〃
〃I never saw her before last night。〃
141〃That is no answer。 Love is swifter than vril。 You hesitate to
tell me。 Do not think it is only jealousy that prompts me to caution you。
If the Tur's daughter should declare love to you… if in her ignorance she
confides to her father any preference that may justify his belief that she
will woo you； he will have no option but to request your immediate
destruction； as he is specially charged with the duty of consulting the good
of the community； which could not allow the daughter of the Vril…ya to
wed a son of the Tish…a； in that sense of marriage which does not confine
itself to union of the souls。 Alas！ there would then be for you no escape。
She has no strength of wing to uphold you through the air； she has no
science wherewith to make a home in the wilderness。 Believe that here
my friendship speaks； and that my jealousy is silent。〃
With these words Zee left me。 And recalling those words； I thought
no more of succeeding to the throne of the Vril…ya； or of the political；
social； and moral reforms I should institute in the capacity of Absolute
Sovereign。
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CHAPTER XXVI。
After the conversation with Zee just recorded； I fell into a profound
melancholy。 The curious interest with which I had hitherto examined the
life and habits of this marvellous community was at an end。 I could not
banish from my mind the consciousness that I was among a people who；
however kind and courteous； could destroy me at any moment without
scruple or compunction。 The virtuous and peaceful life of the people
which； while new to me； had seemed so holy a contrast to the contentions；
the passions； the vices of the upper world； now began t