Seranis was gone for many minutes, but her expression revealed nothing when she returned.
“We have been talking about you,” she said-not explaining who “we” might be: “If you return to Diaspar, the whole city will know about us. Whatever promises you make, the secret could not be kept.”
A feeling of slight panic began to creep over Alvin. Seranis must have known his thoughts, for her next words were more reassuring.
“We don’t wish to keep you here against your wishes, but if you return to Diaspar we will have to erase all memories of Lys from your mind.” She hesitated for a moment. “This has never arisen before: all your predecessors came here to stay.”
Alvin was thinking deeply.
“Why should it matter,” he said, “if Diaspar does learn about you again? Surely it would be a good thing for both our peoples?”
Seranis looked displeased.
“We don’t think so,” she said. “If the gates were opened, our land would be flooded with sensation-seekers and the idly curious. As things are now, only the best of your people have ever reached us.”
Alvin felt himself becoming steadily more annoyed, but he realized that Seranis’ attitude was quite unconscious.
“That isn’t true,” he said flatly. “Very few of us would ever leave Diaspar. If you let me return, it would make no difference to Lys.”