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 able sex. I am sorry. I hope I shan’t bore you. I hate to bore anyone—more particular- ly a charming woman.”

He spoke in a manner that was wholly for- eign to him, with an airy indifference which struck her as being infinitely incongruous. Her eyes sought his, and through the half gloom she saw them scintillate.

A great fear struck her like a blow in the face, a blow on the breast. Unconsciously her hands went up; she pressed hard on her bosom as if to still its throbbing. And all the time her thoughts ran: “The madman! How can I elude him? When will Perseus come?” Why had she let him go? Why had she not jour- neyed with him to London as he had sug- gested?

He came closer to her.

“You look fagged, my dear. Won’t you sit down?”

It was a command, a command which she dared not disobey. There was a steady cold authority in his tone which struck her as being

singularly ominous. Thoughts of revolt

flashed through her mind. Why should she succumb to this sudden and inexplicable fear 326