"But even if one were to fall short a little in respect to husband or wife, I have often observed that there are compensations springing out of the relation, in other ways," I returned. "You mean children? O, yes, that is true, when all goes well. I will tell you," she added, her voice dropping to the tone one instantly recognizes as confidential, "that I am educating several children in some of our best schools, and that I mean to provide for them with sufficient liberality when they come of age. So, you see, I have thrown hostages to fortune and shall probably reap a harvest of gratitude,--in place of filial affection." She laughed with a touch of mockery. I suppose every one is familiar with the experience of having things--facts, bits of knowledge,--"come" to him, as we say. Something came to me, and froze the marrow in my bones. "Elodia," I ventured, "you asked me a very plain question a moment ago, will you forgive me if I ask you the same,--have you had amours?" The expression of her face changed slightly, which might have been due to the expression of mine. "We have perhaps grown too frank with each other," she said, "but you are a being from another world, and that must excuse us,--shall it?" I bowed, unable to speak. "One of the children I spoke of, a little girl of six, is my own natural child." She made this extraordinary confession with her glance fixed steadily upon mine. I am a man of considerable nerve, but for a moment the world was dark to me and I had the sensation of one falling from a great height. And then suddenly relief came to me in the thought, She is not to be judged by the standards that measure morality in my country! When I could command my voice again I asked: "Does this little one know that she is your child,--does any one else know?" "Certainly not," she answered in a tone of surprise, and then with an ironical smile, "I have treated you to an exceptional confidence. It is a matter of etiquette with us to keep these things hidden." As I made no response she added: "Is it a new thing to you for a parent not to acknowledge illegitimate children?" "Even the lowest class of mothers we have on Earth do not often abandon their offspring," I replied. "Neither do they here," she said. "The lowest class have nothing to gain and nothing to lose, and consequently there is no necessity that they should sacrifice their natural affections. In this respect, the lower classes are better off than we aristocrats." "You beg the question," I returned; "you know what I mean! I should not have thought that you, Elodia, could ever be moved by such unworthy considerations--that you would ever fear the world's opinions! you who profess manly qualities, the noblest of which is courage!" "Am I to understand by that," she said, "that men on your planet acknowledge their illegitimate progeny, and allow them the privileges of honored sons and daughters?"