"What you see," said Gistla softly, "is an illusion. You see what would be in your values, a beautiful girl."
George opened his mouth but was unable to find his voice.
"Do not be afraid, George. Beneath the illusion of your senses, I am still Gistla. I am still a Venusian."
George reached out and touched his fingers against a white arm and a white shoulder bared by the cape. He touched the golden hair. "Gistla," he said, amazed. "You're beautiful."
"Yes," she said sadly.
"But—you really are! Your hair and your eyes and your mouth. How did you do it?"
She shook her head to show its unimportance. "It is something—like your hypnotism."
George raised himself from his knees and sat beside her. "But I can't believe it!"
"You can see, you can feel."
"Yes," George said. "Yes."