“Let them go,” she murmured; “you must remain. Virgillius, we cannot part! Ah, do not leave me!”
“Why should he remain?” demanded a voice close beside us.
Alpha gasped, but continued to cling to me, and startled, we turned to find the Vespa Prince glaring at us with jealous eyes.
Beautiful Centauri laughed hysterically, pressing her hands over her eyes as though bewildered, then she clung to my shoulder, murmuring:
“Remain; do not heed him.”
“Remain for what?” I whispered, caressing her hair.
“For love,” she murmured; “for love—it is not too late.”
The Prince moved restlessly.
“Be patient,” I muttered; “you will have her always. I paved the way.”
“Nonsense!” he retorted. “I could have taught her; so could any man who had the courage. She is not a saint, just a sweet, warm-hearted woman who grieves at your departure because you came near being mated. Alpha,” he continued, roughly taking her from me, “look up, be brave, make your choice, there is yet time. If it is Virgillius I return to the Belt, content that you are happy. If I am the one, say farewell, and let Virgillius depart in peace.”