There, on the floor beside her, was the answer she had sought so long. A book. "Time in Relation to Time." The name of the author, his academic record in theoretical physics, the cautious, scientific wording of his postulates, meant nothing to her. The one thing that had meaning for her was that Time could be manipulated. And she would manipulate it. For Ninon! The door chimes tinkled intimately. Ninon glanced at her watch--Robert was on time. She arose from the couch, made sure that the light was behind her at just the right angle so he could see the outlines of her figure through the sheerness of her gown, then went to the door and opened it. A young man stood there. Young, handsome, strong, his eyes aglow with the desire he felt, Ninon knew, when he saw her. He took one quick step forward to clasp her in his strong young arms. "Ninon, my darling," he whispered huskily. Ninon did not have to make her voice throaty any more, and that annoyed her too. Once she had had to do it deliberately. But now, through the years, it had deepened. "Not yet, Robert," she whispered. She let him feel the slight but firm resistance so nicely calculated to breach his own; watched the deepening flush of his cheeks with the clinical sureness that a thousand such experiences with men had given her. Then, "Come in, Robert," she said, moving back a step. "I've been waiting for you." She noted, approvingly, that Robert was in his spaceman's uniform, ready for the morrow's flight, as he went past her to the couch. She pushed the button which closed and locked the door, then seated herself beside the young spaceman on the silken couch. His hands rested on her shoulders and he turned her until they faced each other. "Ninon," he said, "you are so beautiful. Let me look at you for a long time--to carry your image with me through all of time and space." Again Ninon let him feel just a hint of resistance, and risked a tiny pout. "If you could just take me with you, Robert...." Robert's face clouded. "If I only could!" he said wistfully. "If there were only room. But this is an experimental flight--no more than two can go." Again his arms went around her and he leaned closer. "Wait!" Ninon said, pushing him back. "Wait? Wait for what?" Robert glanced at his watch. "Time is running out. I have to be at the spaceport by dawn--three hours from now." Ninon said, "But that's three hours, Robert." "But I haven't slept yet tonight. There's been so much to do. I should rest a little." "I'll be more than rest for you." "Yes, Ninon.... Oh, yes." "Not yet, darling." Again her hands were between them. "First, tell me about the flight tomorrow." The young spaceman's eyes were puzzled, hurt. "But Ninon, I've told you before ... there is so much of you that I want to remember ... so little time left ... and you'll be gone when I get back...." Ninon let her gray-green eyes narrow ever so slightly as she leaned away from him. But he blundered on.