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 cities 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 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,—­