"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 a
lover 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. She
might not make a suitable wife for you."

"I love her. I love her as I can never love a woman of our world. She is
a thousand times more beautiful and good than any woman I have ever
known. 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 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