I was astonished, but joined in the yells that followed an inelegant remark from Sheldon, who rarely missed an opportunity, and Saunders helped him out with the same kind of thing. I took my turn and the buffooned Vespa Prince was guyed unmercifully. The four strayed hornets were making an awful din when Mike marched in, silencing us with his gravity and dignity. He disapproved of our boisterousness and came to remind me I must see Alpha Centauri. Sheldon had his fling at him also, and Saunders gave his snicker that exasperated all who heard it, and caused Saxe. to raise his hands as though the fun had gone far enough. “I shall have to see her,” I murmured nervously. “She sent for me over an hour ago. It will have to take place; it might as well be now.” “Not much!” cried Sheldon. “I would avoid it. What do you suppose she has to say? I bet ten to one, boys, I have the whole interview in a nutshell. Sally, reproachful—the left man always is, I wonder why—and she will whine and simper, and regret, and want him to hang around to see how happy she can be with the other fellow. Same old affair, same old woman, no scarcity of ’em—what did he come over here for?” Saxe. glanced sternly and hushed him up. “Go, my boy,” he told me; “but cut it short; make it the last time; end everything now. Don’t permit her to play with you further.” “She did not play with me,” I interrupted; “As far as she is concerned everything was——” “All right,” he hurriedly replied; “then you played with her, which is the same thing. Be firm, make it the last meeting.” “Saxe., you don’t understand,” I explained; “when I joined the expedition, it was to seek a madly-adored ideal—I found a woman and still seek. The ideal has no rival; I am true, faithful to my creation. Alpha Centauri never was divine. Her beauty pales before the gorgeousness of my ideal. The love-lorn Virgillius is dead. It is the same old Salucci itching for a new sensation.” I followed Mike. He regarded me curiously. “Alpha Centauri is grieved at your delay,” he remarked. I shrugged my shoulders, astonished at my indifference, but sighed deeply as I saluted the exquisite creature reclining upon a skin-covered couch with a background of huge white blossoms whose heavy fragrance consumed the air. She arose, watching me doubtfully, hesitatingly. I hurried to her and caught her hands tightly; the witchery of her eyes was upon me. “Alpha,” I murmured. “Yes,” she replied. “I know, I know. Ah, if it had only been, Virgillius!” I dropped her hands.