Pen thought wonderingly: "He actually looks upon himself as a romantic figure!"
As she made no answer he asked somewhat uneasily: "That's right, isn't it?"
"Not for me," said Pen. "Man may be a rapacious animal, but he is also capable of controlling his rapacity. And it seems to me it's only by controlling it that he can be even decently happy. I've read somewhere that beasts of prey always come to a violent end."
Riever smiled in a superior sort of way. "You're stronger than most women," he said with a sneer. "But you can't let go of your religious tags. I suppose it's too much to expect."
Pen only smiled.
"Now I suppose I've offended you," he said presently.
"Not in the least!" said Pen.
"No, you don't give a damn one way or the other," he said sorely.
Pen laughed. "Nothing I say pleases you!"
"You please me," he muttered, "but..." The end of his sentence trailed off unintelligibly.