by John Munro
CHAPTER X.
ALUMION.
Alumion--Alumion--I could think of nothing but Alumion. Her very namewas music in my ears, and her image in my heart was a perpetual banquetof delight I had never known such felicity before. My inclination forMiss Carmichael and every other transient affection or interest I mayhave felt was altogether of a lower strain--with one exception, a boyishadmiration for a school girl who died a mere child. The ethereal flameof this new passion seemed to purify all that was earthly, and exalt allthat was celestial in my nature. This beautiful land, so green andsmiling under a sky of serene azure and snowy wreaths, became as thehighest heaven to me, and I wandered about in a dream of ecstacy likeone of the blessed gods inebriated with nectar.
I avoided my travelling companions. Their worldly conversation jarred onthe mood I was in, and I preferred my own thoughts to their pursuits.As my sole desire was to hear about Alumion, and if possible to see heragain, I courted the society of Dinus and Otare. I knew, of course, thatin ten days she would return to her family, but I thought I might beable to visit the temple and perhaps get a glimpse of her. However, Ilearned from her father that during the sacred festival the temple wasclosed to the outer world. It was not indeed forbidden to land on theholy island, but it was considered a sacrilege for anyone not havingbusiness there to enter the precincts of the temple, excepting on theday of the ceremony which had just taken place. While bound to respectthis taboo, I was, nevertheless, drawn by an irresistible attraction tothe island, where I frequently spent hours in sailing about the woodedshores, or loitering in the sacred avenue, hoping against hope that Imight see her passing by or in the distance. Although I was not sofortunate, I enjoyed the satisfaction of being nearer to her, and as theisland seemed a perfect solitude, I could indulge my reverie in peace.
At last I made a discovery. In describing the ceremony of the Flower,Otare had spoken of a sacred grotto where the priestess went to bathe,and on questioning him further, I ascertained that it was situated onthe shore of the island in a bay or inlet to the eastward of the quay,and that she took her customary bath at set of sun.
That afternoon I made a thorough search and found a cavern in the rockclose to the beach of a secluded cove which I had overlooked until then.A footpath, winding down the mountain side through the forest led to itsmouth, which was overhung and almost hid by a rich creeper with largecrimson blossoms. It was evidently the spot mentioned by Otare, butwishing to make sure, and impelled by curiosity in spite of a morehallowed feeling, I lifted the creeper and was about to peer into thedarkness, when a sudden noise within made me jump back with affright. Itwas the most horrible and excruciating shriek I had ever heard in mylife. If anyone by a refinement of cruelty were to compound a torturefor the ears, I do not think he could produce anything half so piercing,gruesome, and discordant.
It seemed the cry of an animal--a wild beast--and I began to think I wasmistaken in the place; but the sun was near its setting now, and it wastoo late to seek further afield. I therefore returned to my boat andwithdrew under the overarching boughs of some trees where I could seewithout being seen.
I had not long to wait. Between the flowering shrubs I noticed that afigure--a woman by her undulating grace--was coming down the path. Athin wrap or veil of changing stuff, with gleams of azure and fiery red,was flung about her person. Presently she stepped upon the beach intothe mellow gloaming, and stood like a statue, with her eyes bent on thesinking orb, which threw a trail of splendour across the lake.
It was the priestess, and apparently alone. A closer view of her personbrought me no disenchantment. Perfect beauty, like the sublime, producesan impression of the infinite, and I only speak the literal truth when Isay that she appeared infinitely beautiful to me. Her golden hair,rippling over the delicate ear and gathered into a knot behind, herlarge violet eyes and blooming white skin, her Grecian profile andstately yet flowing form, might have become an Aphrodite of Xeuxis orPraxiteles; but her serene and gracious countenance beamed with a pureseraphic light which is wanting to the classical goddess, and must besought in the Madonnas of Raphael. Moreover, she had an indescribablelook of girlish innocence, winsome sweetness, and pitiful tenderness,which belonged to none of these ideals, and marked her as a simple,loving, perishable child of earth.
I gazed upon her marvellous beauty with a kind of religious veneration,at once attracted by her womanly charm and awed by her god-like dignity,yet with a strange, a divine state of repose and pure rapture in myheart for which there is no name.
Would that the happiness, the bliss of looking upon her, of being nearher, might have lasted for ever!
I knew, however, that she would soon enter the grotto and be lost to me.Should I speak? In this fraternal community what was there to preventit? Something held me back. Otare had said that the priestess wasisolated from the outer world during her year of office; but that wasonly a general statement. Mine was a peculiar case. I was a stranger. Idid not belong to their world, and was not supposed to know the ins andouts of their customs. Besides, why should custom stand between such alove as mine and its object? Conventional propriety was for the pitifulearth and its wretched abortive passions. Perhaps I should frighten her?No, I did not believe it. In this golden land even the birds seemedfearless. As well think to frighten an angel in Heaven.
While I was debating the question within myself she glanced into thefoliage where I was hidden. How my heart throbbed! I fancied that shesaw me, and trembled with emotion; but I was mistaken, for she turnedand walked towards the cavern.
Suddenly I remembered the alarming sound within the cave, and breakingthrough the covert, called after her.
"Take care, take care! There is a wild beast in the grotto. I heard itcry."
She looked round and started when she saw me. The surprise, visible onher face, seemed to melt into recognition.
"It is kind of you to warn me," she responded with a frank smile, "but Iam not in danger. There is no wild animal inside."
Her low sweet voice was quite in keeping with her beauty. Every noterung clear and melodious as a bell.
"But the awful cry?" I rejoined with a puzzled air.
"Was that of a particular pet of mine," she answered laughingly.
"Pardon me," said I smiling for company, "I am a stranger here, as youcan see, and did not know any better."
"You are one of the travellers from another world, are you not?"
"Ah! you have heard of our arrival."
"Oh yes! An event so important was not kept from me. I saw you sittingbeside my father on the day of the Flower, and I knew you again. I amafraid our country will seem very odd to you. Have you enjoyed yourstay?"
"So much. I cannot tell you how much."
"I hope you will remain with us a long time."
"I should like to stop here for ever."
She blushed and smiled with pleasure at these words, then, raising herarms in a noble salute, inclined her head, and entered the cavern.
I returned to the car in a delirium of happiness. I had seen her again,I had actually spoken with her. _She knew me!_ Every detail of her lookand accent was indelibly printed on my memory. All next day I wanderedabout in a kind of transport, feasting on the recollection of what hadpassed between us, and revolving over my future course of action. In twodays the holy time would end, and I should have an opportunity ofmeeting her at home; but with the chance of seeing her again at thegrotto, I could not wait. I was allured towards her by the mostdelicious fascination. Such a love as mine looked down upon the pettyproprieties which keep lovers apart, yet are sometimes so needful in ourwicked world. In this noble planet life was free and simple, because itwas beautiful and good. I determined to revisit the cove that evening,and if I should see her again, to declare my secret.
Had I counted the cost? With such a passion it is not a question ofcost. I was well aware that if she did not reciprocate my affection shewould never marry me. Nor did I wish it otherwise. I would not ask herto sacrifice herself for my s
ake. If, as my heart fondly hoped, sheaccepted me, I would not allow anything to stand between us for amoment. I would abandon the expedition if necessary, and remain inVenus. If, on the other hand, she refused me as my judgment feared, Iwould return to the earth as a new man, ennobled by a glorious love,reverencing myself that I was capable of it, cherishing her image in myheart as the ideal of womanhood, and grateful for having seen and knownher. Surely a rich reward for all the perils of the journey.
Sunset found me in the cove, not hidden by the leaves as before, butsitting in the boat astrand. She came. To-night her veil was of a goldenyellow shading into dark green. A beautiful smile of recognition passedover her face when she saw me, and we greeted one another in thegraceful fashion of the country.
I did not speak of the weather or give an excuse for my presence there,as I might have done to a woman of the world. With Alumion I felt thatall such artificial forms were idle, and that I could reveal my inmostsoul without disguise, in all its naked sincerity.
"I have brought you some flowers," said I, offering her a nosegay whichI had picked. "Will you accept them?"
"I thank you," she replied with a beaming smile as she came and tookthem from my hand. "They are very beautiful, and I shall keep them foryour sake."
"For my sake!"
Inspired by love I continued in a voice trembling with emotion,
"Alumion--can you not guess what brings me here?"
A blush rose to her cheek as she bent over the flowers.
"It is because I love you," said I; "because I have loved you ever sinceI saw you on the day you cut the sacred lily; because I loveyou--worship you--with all my heart and soul."
She was silent.
"If I am wrong, forgive me," I went on in a pleading tone. "Blame thespell your beauty has cast over me, but do not banish me from yourpresence, which is life and light to me."
"Wrong!" she murmured, lifting her wondrous eyes to mine. "Can it bewrong to love, or to speak of love? Why should I send you away from mebecause you love me? Is not love the glory of the heart, as the sun isthe glory of the world? Rejoice, then, in your love as I do in mine."
"As you do?"
"Yes, as I do. I should have spoken sooner, but my heart was full ofhappiness. For I also love you. I have loved you from the beginning."
With a cry of unspeakable joy I sprang from the boat, and would haveflung myself at her feet to kiss her hand or the hem of her garment, butshe drew back with a look of apprehension.
"Touch me not," she said gravely, "for by the custom of our land I amholy. Until to-morrow at sunset I am consecrated to The Giver."
"Pardon my ignorance," I responded rather crestfallen. "Your will shallbe my law. I only wished to manifest my eternal gratitude and devotionto you."
"Kneel not to me," she rejoined, "but rather to The Giver, who has sostrangely brought us together. How many ages we might have wanderedfrom world to world without finding each other again!"
"You think we have met before then?" I enquired eagerly, for the samethought had been haunting my own mind. It seemed to me that I had knownAlumion always.
"Assuredly," she replied, "for you and I are kindred souls who have beenseparated in another world, by death or evil; and now that we have metagain, let us be faithful and loving to each other."
"Nothing shall separate us any more."
The words had scarcely passed my lips when the same terrible cry which Ihad heard once before sounded from the interior of the grotto.
Alumion called or rather sang out a response to the cry, which I did notunderstand, then said to me in her ordinary voice,
"It is Siloo. I must go now and give him food."
I was curious to know who or what was Siloo, but did not dare to ask.She raised her arms gracefully and smiled a sweet farewell.
"Are you going to leave me like that?" said I.
"What would you have?" she answered, turning towards the cave.
"In my country lovers bind themselves by mutual vows."
"What need of vows? Have we not confessed our loves?"
"Will you not tell me when I shall see you again? Will you not say whenyou will be mine--when you will marry me?"
A blush mounted to her cheek as she answered with a divine glance,
"Meet me at sunset to-morrow, and I will be yours."
As yet I had not mentioned my adventure with Alumion to any of mycompanions, but that night I said to Gazen, as we smoked our cigarstogether,
"Wish me joy, old fellow! I am going to be married."
He seemed quite dumbfounded, and I rather think he fancied that I musthave come to an understanding with Miss Carmichael.
"Really!" said he with the air of a man plucking up heart after anunexpected blow. "May I ask who is the lady?"
"The Priestess of the Lily."
"The Priestess!" he exclaimed utterly astonished, but at the same timevastly relieved. "The Priestess! Come, now, you are joking."
"Never was more serious in my life."
Then I told him what had happened, how I had met her, and my engagementto marry her.
"If you will take my advice," said he dryly, "you'll do nothing of thekind."
"Why?"
"Have you considered the matter?" he replied significantly.
"Considered the matter! A love like mine does not 'consider the matter'as though it were a problem in Euclid. With such a woman as Alumion alover does not stop to 'consider the matter,' unless he is a fool."
"A woman--yes; but remember that she is a woman of another planet. Shemight not make a suitable wife for you."
"I love her. I love her as I can never love a woman of our world. She isa thousand times more beautiful and good than any woman I have everknown. She is an ideal woman--a perfect woman--an angel in human form."
"That may be; but what will her family say?"
"My dear Gazen, don't you know they manage these things better here.Thank goodness, the 'family' does not interfere with love affairs inthis happy land! We love each other, we have agreed to be married, andthat is quite sufficient. No need to get the 'consent of the parents,'or make a 'settlement,' or give out the banns, or buy a governmentlicense as though a wife were contraband goods, or hire a string offour-wheelers, or tip the pew-opener. What has love to do withpew-openers? Why should the finest thing in life become the prey of suchvulgar parasites? Why should our heavenliest moments be profaned andspoiled by needless worries--hateful to the name of love? Our weddingwill be very simple. We shall not even want you as groomsman or MissCarmichael as bridesmaid. I daresay we shall get along without cake andspeeches, and as for the rice and old boots, upon my word, I don't thinkwe shall miss them."
"And if it is a fair question, when will the--the simple ceremony takeplace?"
"To-morrow evening."
"To-morrow evening!" exclaimed the professor, taken by surprise. "Ithought a priestess could not marry."
"To-morrow at sunset she will be a free woman. Her priesthood will cometo an end."
"And--pardon me--but what are you going to do with her when you've gother? Will you bring her home to the car--there is very little room here,as you know. Do you propose to take her to the earth, where I'm afraidshe will probably die like a tender plant or a bird of paradise in acage? Do you think her father would consent to that?"
"We are not going away just yet. There will be time enough to arrangeabout that."
"Well, we can't stay here much longer. I must get back to my work--andyou know we intended to pay a flying visit to Mercury, and if possibleto get a closer look at the sun."
"All right. You can go as soon as you like. I shall remain behind.Carmichael will take you to the earth, and then come back here for me."
"You talk as if it were merely a question of a drive."
"I think we have proved that it is not more dangerous to go from oneplanet to another than it is to get about town."
"If an accident _should_ occur. If Carmichael cannot return--"
"I shall be
much happier here than I should be on the earth. Even if Ihad never met Alumion I think I should come back and stay on Venus."
"It is certainly a better world, as far as we have seen, but rememberyour own words, 'Man was made for the earth.' Don't you think thiseternal summer--these Elysian Fields--would pall upon you in course oftime? Constant bliss, like everlasting honey, might cloy your earthlypalate, and make you sigh for our poor, old, wicked, miserable world,that in spite of all its faults and crimes, is yet so interesting, sovariable, so dramatic--so dear."
"Never. With Alumion even Hades would be an Elysium."
"Think of your friends at home, and what you owe to them; how they willmiss you."
"I cannot be of much service to them. They will soon forget me."
"Perhaps you are mistaken there," said Gazen, assuming a more seriousair. "In any case I for one shall miss you. In fact, to speak plainly, Ishall feel aggrieved--hurt. You and I are old friends, and when youasked me to join you in this expedition I was moved by friendship aswell as interest. Certainly, I never dreamed that you would desert theship. I thought it was understood that we should sink or swim together.If you leave us I shan't answer for the consequences. I appreciate thedilemma in which you are placed, but surely friendship has a prior if aweaker claim than love-passion. Surely you owe some allegiance toCarmichael and myself."
"What would you have me do?"
"Only to carry out the original plan of the voyage. Promise me that youwill stick to the ship. Afterwards you can return to Venus and do as youplease. Stanley, you know, made his greatest journey into Africa betweenhis engagement and his marriage."
"Very well, I promise."
With an agitated mind I repaired to the tryst next evening and waitedfor Alumion. How should I break the news to her, and how would shereceive it?
The cool airs of the water, and the glorious pageant of the sunsetcalmed my troubled spirit. All day the serene and beamy azure of theheavens had been plumed with snowy cloudlets of graceful and capriciousform, which, as the sun sank to the horizon, were tinged with fleetingglows resembling the iris of a dove's neck, or the hues of a dyingdolphin. The great luminary himself was lost in a golden glamour, and asingle bright star shone palely through a rosy mist, which covered allthe southern sky, like a diamond seen through a bridal veil of gauze.
That lone star was the earth.
Strange to say, I felt a kind of yearning towards it, a yearning as ofhome-sickness, and it seemed to reproach me for having thought offorsaking it. I wondered what my friends were doing now within thatblaze; perhaps they were looking at Venus and speculating on what I wasabout. How delighted I should be to see them again, and show them myincomparable wife--but could I ever take her there?
Whilst I was musing, the low sweet voice of Alumion thrilled me to themarrow. I turned and saw her. She was dressed to-night in a filmyvesture of opalescent or pearly white, partly diaphanous, and having adeep fringe of gold. There was a pink blush on her cheek and a sparkleof girlish love in her celestial eyes. Never had she seemed moreravishingly beautiful.
"Beauty too rare for use, for earth too dear."
"You were gazing on the star. You did not hear my coming," she said witha little feminine pout.
"I was thinking of you, darling."
She smiled again.
"Is it not a lovely star?" she said. "We call it the star of Love--thestar of the Blest."
"It is my home."
"Your home!" she exclaimed with a look of surprise and wonderment.
"You have heard that I come from another world."
"Yes, but I did not know it was a star. And is that beautiful star yourhome?"
"Yes, beloved; and I am sorry to say I must return there soon again."
"And I will go! You will take me with you to that fair world!"
I thought of all the crime and folly, the deceit, violence, andwretchedness lurking behind that pure and peaceful ray. Alas! how couldI tell her the truth and destroy her illusions. She was innocent as achild, and an instinct warned me to keep the knowledge of evil from her,while a contrary spirit urged me to speak.
"You might not find it so fair as it looks from here."
"I am sure it cannot be an evil world since you come from it. To us itis a sacred star."
"If the inhabitants could see it as I do now, perhaps the sight wouldmake them lead better lives--would shame them into being worthier oftheir dwelling-place."
"Are they not good?" she asked with a look of wonder and sorrowfulcompassion. "Then how unhappy they must be."
"Some are good and some are bad. Everything is mixed in our world--thestrong and the weak--the rich and the poor--the happy and themiserable."
"But do the good not help the bad?"
"Yes, to a certain extent; but life is a struggle there; every man forhimself; and the good very often find it hard to secure a littlehappiness for themselves."
"How can they be happy when they know that others are suffering and inwant, that others are bad? I long to go and help them."
"Darling, you are an angel, and I adore you; but, believe me, you alonecould do very little. One has already come and taught us how to love andcherish each other, that the strong should help the weak, the rich giveto the poor, and the happy comfort the wretched. His followers believethat He came from Heaven, and yet after nineteen hundred years I amafraid that some of them do not fully understand the plain meaning ofHis words, or else find it convenient to ignore them."
"But many of us will go there. We will bring the sinful and thesuffering over here to Womla and make them happy."
"I am touched by your simple faith in us, dearest It does you honour,but I fear it is mistaken. What would you say if the very people you hadsaved and befriended were to turn round and take your country from you,perhaps even destroy you? Such ingratitude is not unknown in ourworld."
"If they are so wicked they have the more need of help."
"In any case, darling, I cannot take you with me, for the vessel we camein is too small; but I will come back as soon as possible and stay withyou in Womla. How happy we shall be!"
"In Womla--no. We should not be quite at rest."
"Then we shall seek out some desert star where we can live only for eachother."
"You do not understand me. Neither in Womla nor in a desert star couldwe be happy in a selfish love, knowing that others were in pain."
"Better I had not spoken of my world at all."
"No, a thousand times no!" cried Alumion with fervour. "For you haveopened up to me a new source of happiness--of blessedness which I havenever known before. Only let us go together to your world and ministerto the unfortunate."
"Well, darling, we will think of it; but see! the sun has set and youare free again. I came to marry you, but since I must return so soon tomy own world, perhaps it would be well to postpone the ceremony until Icome back here."
"Why should we do that?"
Evidently she had no idea of the dangers of the journey, or how long itwould take.
"If anything should happen to me. If I should die and never return."
"Ah! do not speak of that. The Giver will preserve you."
"But life is uncertain."
"Beloved, I shall never love another but you; therefore, let us uniteourselves, as we are already united in heart and soul, henceforth andforever. Come!"
With these words she turned and glided towards the sacred grotto. I heldaside the flowering creeper which hung over the entrance like a curtain,and followed her within. To my great surprise the interior was neitherdark nor dusky, but filled with a soft and luscious light from myriadsof glow-worms and fire-flies of various colours, which glimmered on thewalls like tiny electric lamps, or sparkled in the facets of the gemsand spars depending from the roof. Judging by their shape and tint Iimagine that some of these incrustations are native crystals of thediamond and ruby, the sapphire, topaz, and emerald. In a deep recess oralcove on one side a spring of clear water gushed from the rock into an
atural basin of sinter, enamelled inside and out with the preciousopal. Owing perhaps to the minerals through which it had passed theliquid shed a delicious perfume in the air, and made a bath fit for thegoddess of beauty.
I had scarcely time to look about me when a strange and wonderful melodyof most entrancing sweetness echoed through the cavern.
"Siloo, Siloo!" cried Alumion softly, and the music, which I cannotcompare to any earthly strain, ceased in a moment. Presently I was morethan startled to see in the gloomier background of the cavern a greatwhite serpent glide like a ghost along the floor and come straighttowards us. His milk-white body was speckled all over with jewelledscales, and shone with a pale blue phosphorescence; his eyes blazed inhis head like twin carbuncles, and in spite of my instinctive dread ofsnakes, I could not help admiring his repulsive beauty. Presently hereared his long neck, and faced us with his forked tongue playing outand in. I shrank back, for I thought he was about to spring upon me; butAlumion, laughing gaily at my fears, stepped quickly up to him, andstroked him with her hand. The serpent laid his head caressingly uponher shoulder and emitted a low faint note of pleasure.
Alumion then took a shallow dish or patera, and, filling it from a vasewhich she carried with her set it upon the floor for the snake to feed.
"You don't seem to be afraid of that gruesome reptile," said Ipleasantly.
"Oh, no," she replied smiling. "Siloo knows me very well."
"Tell me, was it he who made the music a little while ago?"
"Yes, and also the noise which alarmed you the first night you wanderedhere. The music comes from his head, and the noise is from his tail.That is why we call him Siloo."
The word, as nearly as I can translate it, means harmony, order,measure, proportion, in the Womla tongue.
"Does he always live in this cave?"
"Yes, he is a sacred animal with us, and long ago was worshipped andconsulted by our forefathers, and those who preceded them in theisland."
"Is he very old?"
"None can tell how old. Some say he is immortal. Others think he is onlythe offspring of the snake worshipped by our forefathers. He is guardianof the sacred fountain whose waters we are about to drink."
When she had spoken, Alumion tripped to the flowing spring, and, takinga cup which was standing on the edge of the basin, filled it from thepellucid stream.
"Give me your hand," she murmured, holding out her own, and lifting hercelestial eyes, so full of love and tenderness, to mine. It was a daintyhand, plump, lilywhite, and dimpled, with tapering fingers; and as Ifelt her warm and silk-soft touch for the first time, my soul meltedwithin me, and my whole being thrilled with delight. Her rosy lipsparted with pleasure, and a delicate blush mantled her blooming cheeksand full white throat.
I gazed in rapture on her divine countenance, so like a speaking flower,the image of a beautiful soul on which neither sorrow, care, nor passionhad ever left a trace.
She raised the cup, and having sipped of the water, handed it to me insilence. I sought the place where her lips had touched the brim anddrank. Now whether it was phantasy or some foreign ingredient I cannottell, but the water seemed to taste like nectar, and to run through allmy veins like wine.
The glamour of the lights and the perfume of the waters wrought upon mysenses, and, yielding to the intoxication of my love, I caught Alumionto my arms.
Suddenly the most appalling noise rent the air, and caused me to springback from my bride in terror. It came from the rattlesnake. His grislybody swayed to and fro, his gaping mouth displayed all its horrid fangs,and his large eyes burned like two red-hot coals.
"Siloo, Siloo!" cried Alumion hastily in a tone of command. "Down,Siloo!"
The serpent at once obeyed her voice and retired again to his dish.
"He thought I was going to harm you," I exclaimed, not without a senseof relief. "Or perhaps he was jealous of me."
"Remember this is holy ground," responded Alumion.
"Forgive me," I said, feeling her reproof. "My love--your beauty--mustbe my excuse."
"We must part now," she continued, with a blinding glance and aravishing smile. "I have some last offices to perform here. We shallmeet to-morrow at my father's house."
On my way home the blood coursed through my veins like an immortal ichorof the gods, full of sweet and inextinguishable fire. Inebriated withthe cup of bliss which I had only tasted, I began to repent me of mypromise to leave Womla.
"To-morrow Alumion will be mine," I reflected, "but for how long? A fewdays at the most. It is too bad!"
An idea struck me.
"Gazen," said I that night as soon as I had a convenient opportunity tospeak with him, "I have married Alumion."
"Married her!" he exclaimed, completely taken aback.
"Yes, that is to say, I have gone through the formal ceremony ofmarriage. I have drunk of the cup."
"But you promised me you would do nothing of the kind."
"I said I would go back to the earth with you, and I will keep my word.But I must say that since I agreed to your wishes in the matter, I thinkyou owe me some concession, and I want you to leave me in Womla whileyou go on to Mercury, and then come back here to pick me up. That willgive me a longer honeymoon."
"Impossible, my dear fellow--quite impossible," replied the professor."Venus will be too far out of our way home. We have no oxygen to waste,and can't go hunting you in your love affairs all round the solarsystem."
"Very well, then, I shall stay behind."
"But, my dear fellow--"
"Say no more about it. I have made up my mind."
