“You want me to like you, Tako?”
“Of course I do. You interest me strangely. Your beauty—your courage—”
“Then if you would be sincere with me—”
“I am; most certainly I am.”
“You are not. You have plans for me. I told Tolla I supposed I was destined for someone’s harem. Yours?”
It startled him. “Why—” He recovered himself and laughed. “You speak with directness.” He suddenly turned solemn. He bent toward her and lowered his voice; his hand would have touched her arm, but she drew away.
“In very truth, ideas are coming to me, Jane. I will be, some day soon, the greatest man of my world. Does that attract you?”
“N-no,” she said, stammering.
“I wish that it would,” he said earnestly. “I do of reality wish that it would. I will speak plainly, and it is in a way that Tako never spoke to woman before. I have found myself, these last hours, caring very much for your good opinion of me. That is surprising.”
SHE stared at him with sudden fascination mingled with her fear. He seemed for this moment wholly earnest and sincere. An attractive sort of villain, this handsome giant, turned suddenly boyish and naive.