Cool, ironical smile. I could not forget that last time I had seen her, in the roaring gate-house when she had struck Entt down. I drew away from her. We were rushing through the black mist. The dark panorama of the Lowlands was spread outside the cubby bull’s-eye. “What do you want of me?” I demanded. She told me tersely. This world of mine was strange to her. There was much that I could tell her about it. I could be of great help to her, if I would. She toyed with her dark-lensed eyeglasses. “If you wish to help me, Jeff--” So strange, her caressing use of my single name! I think she was barely aware of that caress in her tone. She leaned toward me as I shrank away. “So? You are afraid? I thought the big man was different.” It was not irony this time. Her dark eyes glowed. She touched my arm, and I held tense. “You interest me, Jeff--” Then she sat back, away from me. “I would not frighten you.” She added quietly, but there was a sudden sweep of emotion back of it--unreasoning creature of moods and passions: “Can’t you guess, Jeff? I want your regard--I want you to admire me, respect me. I want your love. I frighten you? Oh, that I would not do--” * * * * * Her smoldering eyes held me. Her voice was gentle. Life has different standards. To her, man was a quarry to be pursued. She must not frighten me! She added: “You could have guessed that I loved you. It comes, this thing that is love, so suddenly. You do not speak--” I managed, “I did not guess--” This gray, imperious feline creature--suddenly amorous now, I could not doubt. But the change from love to hate could be swift. I repeated cautiously, “I did not guess.” “But now, Jeff, you know, and I am going to conquer this big world up here. I am a masterful woman, Jeff--most powerful. I want you to think of that--you who are so big, so strong and beautiful of body--a man so worthy to rule this world with me. You could help me, Jeff--the inspiration I would have with you beside me--” She paused. I began: “Why--” “Do not answer now. You are frightened. I would not confuse you. I want, some time, not now, your love.” “Why--” There was nothing I dared say. Her mood, exactly as I feared, turned suddenly. “This girl of the Middge I found you with!” She rasped it out. “You love her?” “No,” I said, alarmed for Nereid. Rhana’s gaze searched me. “You are lying! Oh, but why should I think that little white creature could interest you? She amounts to nothing.” “She loves my friend,” I said, “not me. Nor I her.” I decided to chance it; I might perhaps bargain. “You want me to help you, Rhana, to tell you what I can about this world of mine? If I do it will you treat me kindly?” She smiled gently. “Why should I harm you? I want your admiration for what I do--for the woman, the leader that I am. A woman of destiny, as you call it, Jeff.”