age these things better here.
Thank goodness, the 'family' does not interfere with love affairs in
this happy land! We love each other, we have agreed to be married, and
that is quite sufficient. No need to get the 'consent of the parents,'
or make a 'settlement,' or give out the banns, or buy a government
license as though a wife were contraband goods, or hire a string of
four-wheelers, or tip the pew-opener. What has love to do with
pew-openers? Why should the finest thing in life become the prey of such
vulgar parasites? Why should our heavenliest moments be profaned and
spoiled by needless worries--hateful to the name of love? Our wedding
will be very simple. We shall not even want you as groomsman or Miss
Carmichael as bridesmaid. I daresay we shall get along without cake and
speeches, and as for the rice and old boots, upon my word, I don't think
we shall miss them."

"And if it is a fair question, when will the--the simple ceremony take
place?"

"To-morrow evening."

"To-morrow evening!" exclaimed the professor, taken by surprise. "I
thought a priestess could not marry."

"To-morrow at sunset she will be a free woman. Her priesthood will come
to an end."

"And--pardon me--but what are you going to do with her when you've got
her? 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 afraid
she will probably die like a tender plant or a bird of paradise in a
cage? Do you think her father would consent to that?"

"We are not going away just yet. There will be time enough to arrange
about that."

"Well, we can't stay here much longer. I must get back to my work--and
you know we intended to pay a flying visit to Mercury, and if possible
to 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 one
planet 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 I
had 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 remember
your own words, 'Man was made for the earth.' Don't you think this
eternal