“Very well,” said Tanar. He was only too anxious himself to get away where he might hide his embarrassment. Letari led the way down the village street, her soft arm brushing his. “I should be a good mate,” she said, “for I should love only you, and if, after a while, you did not like me you could send me away for that is one of the customs of Amiocap—that when one of two people ceases to love they shall no longer be mates.” “But they do not become mates unless they both love,” insisted Tanar. “That is true,” admitted Letari, “but presently you shall love me. I know that, for all men love me. I could have for my mate any man in Lar that I choose.” “You do not feel unkindly towards yourself,” said Tanar, with a grin. “Why should I?” asked Letari. “Am I not beautiful and young?” Stellara watched Tanar and Letari walking down the village street. She saw how close together they walked and it seemed that Tanar was very much interested in what Letari had to say to him. Doval was standing at her side. She turned to him. “It is noisy here,” she said. “There are too many people. Walk with me to the end of the village.” It was the first time that Stellara had ever indicated a desire to be alone with him and Doval felt a strange thrill of elation. “I will walk with you to the end of the village, Stellara, or to the end of Pellucidar, forever, because I love you,” he said. The girl sighed and shook her head. “Do not talk about love,” she begged. “I merely wish to walk and there is no one else here to walk with me.” “Why will you not love me?” asked Doval, as they left the house of the chief and entered the main street of the village. “Is it because you love another?” “No,” cried Stellara, vehemently. “I love no one. I hate all men.” Doval shook his head in perplexity. “I cannot understand you,” he said. “Many girls have told me that they loved me. I think that I could have almost any girl in Amiocap as my mate if I asked her; but you, the only one that I love, will not have me.” For a few moments Stellara was silent in thought. Then she turned to the handsome youth at her side. “You are very sure of yourself, Doval,” she said, “but I do not believe that you are right. I would be willing to bet that I could name a girl who would not have you; who, no matter how hard you tried to make her, would not love you.” “If you mean yourself, then there is one,” he said, “but there is no other.” “Oh, yes, there is,” insisted Stellara. “Who is she?” demanded Doval. “Letari, the girl from Lar,” said Stellara. Doval laughed. “She throws her love at the first stranger that comes to Amiocap,” he said. “She would be too easy.” “Nevertheless you cannot make her love you,” insisted Stellara. “I do not intend to try,” said Doval. “I do not love her. I love only you, and if I made her love me of what good would that be toward making you love me? No, I shall spend my time trying to win you.” “You are afraid,” said Stellara. “You know that you would fail.”