She sank down on the empty box where Appah had awaited her. It was a relief, this burst of anger. She had been fighting shadows. She had been alone with her thoughts, her fears, with no one to share them with her. Here was a human being she could hate. There was a savage joy in battle, and she felt an unholy uplift in having hit hard.
Appah would have the better of it in the end, perhaps, but he would carry a scar—there was consolation in that. How curious it was! Appah was very anxious to make her his wife; there was no doubt about that. Why was it that the man she loved, and who loved or seemed to love her, hadn't ever mentioned that subject to her?
"I'll bet I can read your thoughts."
Agent Ladd stood before her, smiling down at her.
She rose in a startled way.
"Mr. Ladd? You here?"
"Don't be frightened. May I sit down and talk with you?"
Here was something new. The aggressive autocrat could be gentle, even deferential. She was puzzled. What could it mean?
She motioned to the box and he sat and took out a pipe and began to fill it.
"First of all, I'd like you to know I'm your friend."