disturbing power to make a man's head
swim and his will disappear. It was perhaps no greater power than many
another woman possesses, but to me she was particularly devastating. I
moved back as she came toward me, smiling a little, and said in spite of
my liking for her:

"Keep away from me, Zoorph! You will destroy my soul!"

She laughed huskily.

"What is a soul or so to the passion that could burn us, my Carl? Do you
really fear me, stranger from a strange people? Don't you know how much
I thirst to drink of your lips! Look at me, you coward. Are you afraid
of a woman? Don't you know how curious I am as to how you of this planet
make love? I who am a student of love, am most curious about you. Stand
still. Here we are prisoners, about to die, perhaps, and you refuse me
one sup of pleasure before we die? You are a cruel, and a spineless
creature. I despise you, and yet I want you very much."

I kept backing away, around the room, and she pursued me at arm's
length, her long graceful legs dramatically striding, making of her
pursuit a humorous burlesque, yet I knew she was quite serious about it.
If little Nokomee had not warned me against her, I might have succumbed
then and there, for, as she said--"What good is a tomorrow that may
never exist for us?"

"What did you come for, Carna? To make a fool of me?"

"I thought we might try to escape again, but this pretty queen of the
accursed Schrees has charmed you to her will, and I must await a better
opportunity. But that does not prevent me from trying to outdo her
attraction for you. Do you love her already, Carl?"

"Of course not, I just met her."

This was utterly ridiculous, yet it was a lot of fun and I could see no
real reason why I should resist Carna's advances. To me she was about
the most attractive woman I had ever met, and I might never see her
again. I gave up my retreat, seized the girl almost roughly in my arms,
bent her back with a savage, long-drawn kiss and embrace. Then I
released her, to see what she would make of an earthman's kiss.

She stood for an instant, her hand pressed to her lips, her eyes wide
with surprise, one hand raised as if to push me away. Then she giggled
like a young girl, and put both hands on my shoulders.

"So that is what you call love, strange one? Shall I show you how we of
far-off Calmar do the first steps of courtship?"

"That would be interesting," I said huskily, my lips burning.

Her voice became low and