"Always."
"And we are now?" he questioned.
"Pals? Does that fit the case?" she asked.
"I hope so; I trust it always will."
She hoped not, she wanted a deeper feeling to develop.
Alan looked well, such a fine healthy man, strong, athletic, and she loved him; he little knew the strength of her feelings for him, how she longed to be his, to be conquered by him, to feel his strength pitted against her woman weakness. She kept herself in check, there was very little outward show of her love for him, although sometimes it would not be banished from her eyes, and they were beautiful eyes, eloquent, expressive, and this morning as she looked at him the love-light shone there, and he felt its power.
She was a beautiful woman, he would not have been the man he was had he not felt her charm. She was a woman well developed in mind and body, her taste in dress was exquisite, she knew what suited her and declined to be fashioned by her dressmaker. She stood facing him, close to him, and his senses were intoxicated by her fragrance. The scent she used was delicate, the perfume exquisite, it was peculiar to her; a very dangerous woman when she cared to exercise her powers.
"By Jove, Eve, you do look splendid!" he exclaimed with genuine enthusiasm.
She flushed slightly. It was a tribute to her charm and she accepted it; there could be no doubt about his sincerity.
"Do I look better than usual?" she asked.