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sense of honour were free from reproach。 It became clearly my duty； if
Zee's preference continued manifest； to intimate it to my host； with； of
course； all the delicacy which is ever to be preserved by a well…bred man
in confiding to another any degree of favour by which one of the fair sex
may condescend to distinguish him。 Thus； at all events； I should be freed
from responsibility or suspicion of voluntary participation in the
sentiments of Zee； and the superior wisdom of my host might probably
suggest some sage extrication from my perilous dilemma。 In this resolve
I obeyed the ordinary instinct of civilised and moral man； who； erring
though he be； still generally prefers the right course in those cases where it
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is obviously against his inclinations； his interests； and his safety to elect
the wrong one。
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CHAPTER XXII。
As the reader has seen； Aph…Lin had not favoured my general and
unrestricted intercourse with his countrywomen。 Though relying on my
promise to abstain from giving any information as to the 109world I had
left； and still more on the promise of those to whom had been put the same
request； not to question me； which Zee had exacted from Taee； yet he did
not feel sure that； if I were allowed to mix with the strangers whose
curiosity the sight of me had aroused； I could sufficiently guard myself
against their inquiries。 When I went out； therefore； it was never alone； I
was always accompanied either by one of my host's family； or my child…
friend Taee。 Bra； Aph…Lin's wife； seldom stirred beyond the gardens
which surrounded the house； and was fond of reading the ancient literature；
which contained something of romance and adventure not to be found in
the writings of recent ages； and presented pictures of a life unfamiliar to
her experience and interesting to her imagination； pictures； indeed； of a
life more resembling that which we lead every day above ground； coloured
by our sorrows； sins； passions； and much to her what the tales of the Genii
or the Arabian Nights are to us。 But her love of reading did not prevent
Bra from the discharge of her duties as mistress of the largest household in
the city。 She went daily the round of the chambers； and saw that the
automata and other mechanical contrivances were in order； that the
numerous children employed by Aph…Lin； whether in his private or public
capacity； were carefully tended。 Bra also inspected the accounts of the
whole estate； and it was her great delight to assist her husband in the
business connected with his office as chief administrator of the Lighting
Department； so that her avocations necessarily kept her much within doors。
The two sons were both completing their education at the College of Sages；
and the elder； who had a strong passion for mechanics； and especially for
works connected with the machinery of timepieces and automata； had
decided on devoting himself to these pursuits； and was now occupied in
constructing a shop or warehouse； at which his inventions could be
exhibited and sold。 The younger son 110preferred farming and rural
occupations； and when not attending the College； at which he chiefly
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studied the theories of agriculture； was much absorbed by his practical
application of that science to his father's lands。 It will be seen by this
how completely equality of ranks is established among this people… a
shopkeeper being of exactly the same grade in estimation as the large
landed proprietor。 Aph…Lin was the wealthiest member of the community；
and his eldest son preferred keeping a shop to any other avocation； nor
was this choice thought to show any want of elevated notions on his part。
This young man had been much interested in examining my watch； the
works of which were new to him； and was greatly pleased when I made
him a present of it。 Shortly after； he returned the gift with interest； by a
watch of his own construction； marking both the time as in my watch and
the time as kept among the Vril…ya。 I have that watch still； and it has
been much admired by many among the most eminent watchmakers of
London and Paris。 It is of gold； with diamond hands and figures； and it
plays a favorite tune among the Vril…ya in striking the hours： it only
requires to be wound up once in ten months； and has never gone wrong
since I had it。 These young brothers being thus occupied； my usual
companions in that family； when I went abroad； were my host or his
daughter。 Now； agreeably with the honourable conclusions I had come to；
I began to excuse myself from Zee's invitations to go out alone with her；
and seized an occasion when that learned Gy was delivering a lecture at
the College of Sages to ask Aph…Lin to show me his country…seat。 As this
was at some little distance； and as Aph…Lin was not fond of walking； while
I had discreetly relinquished all attempts at flying； we proceeded to our
destination in one of the aerial boats belonging to my host。 A child of
eight years old； in his employ； was our conductor。 My host and myself
reclined on cushions； and I found the movement very easy and luxurious。
111〃Aph…Lin；〃 said I； 〃you will not； I trust； be displeased with me； if I
ask your permission to travel for a short time； and visit other tribes or
communities of your illustrious race。 I have also a strong desire to see
those nations which do not adopt your institutions； and which you consider
as savages。 It would interest me greatly to notice what are the
distinctions between them and the races whom we consider civilised in the
world I have left。〃
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〃It is utterly impossible that you should go hence alone；〃 said Aph…Lin。
〃Even among the Vril…ya you would be exposed to great dangers。
Certain peculiarities of formation and colour； and the extraordinary
phenomenon of hirsute bushes upon your cheeks and chin； denoting in you
a species of An distinct alike from our own race and any known race of
barbarians yet extant； would attract； of course； the special attention of the
College of Sages in whatever community of Vril…ya you visited； and it
would depend upon the individual temper of some individual sage whether
you would be received； as you have been here； hospitably； or whether you
would not be at once dissected for scientific purposes。 Know that when
the Tur first took you to his house； and while you were there put to sleep
by Taee in order to recover from your previous pain or fatigue； the sages
summoned by the Tur were divided in opinion whether you were a
harmless or an obnoxious animal。 During your unconscious state your
teeth were examined； and they clearly showed that you were not only
graminivorous but carnivorous。 Carnivorous animals of your size are
always destroyed； as being of savage and dangerous nature。 Our teeth； as
you have doubtless observed；* are not those of the creatures who devour
flesh。〃
* I never had observed it； and； if I had； am not physiologist enough to
have distinguished the difference。
〃It is； indeed； maintained by Zee and other philosophers； that as； in
remote ages； the Ana did prey upon living beings of the brute species； their
teeth must have been fitted for that purpose。 But； even if so； they have
been modified by 112h