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The Coming Race
ranked all other races in the category of barbarians； have deigned to
honour me with her preference？ In personal qualifications； though I passed
for good…looking amongst the people I came from； the handsomest of my
countrymen might have seemed insignificant and homely beside the grand
and serene type of beauty which characterised the aspect of the Vril…ya。
That novelty； the very difference between myself and those to whom
Zee was accustomed； might serve to bias her fancy was probable enough；
and as the reader will see later； such a cause might suffice to account for
the predilection with which I was distinguished by a young Gy scarcely
out of her childhood； and very inferior in all respects to Zee。 But
whoever will consider those tender characteristics which I have just
ascribed to the daughter of Aph…Lin； may readily conceive that the main
cause of my attraction to her was in her instinctive desire to cherish； to
comfort； to protect； and； in protecting； to sustain and to exalt。 Thus；
when I look back； I account for the only weakness unworthy of her lofty
nature； which bowed the daughter of the Vril…ya to a woman's affection for
one so inferior to herself as was her father's guest。 But be the cause what
it may； the consciousness that I had inspired such 108affection thrilled me
with awe… a moral awe of her very imperfections； of her mysterious
powers； of the inseparable distinctions between her race and my own； and
with that awe； I must confess to my shame； there combined the more
material and ignoble dread of the perils to which her preference would
expose me。
Under these anxious circumstances； fortunately； my conscience and
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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The Coming Race
is obviously against his inclinations； his interests； and his safety to elect
the wrong one。
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The Coming Race
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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The Coming Race
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 amon