“But it has proved fatal to many, and even your wonderful Sphere may not return. Will you not let them go alone—Robert?”
She pronounced his name quaintly, like “Roe-bert.” It was the first time she had attempted to call him by his name, which she had heard his companions use. His pulse beat madly.
“Tell me,” he breathed, “do you care—Zola?”
She blushed adorably.
“Yes—Robert.”
His arms were suddenly about her. She buried her head on his shoulder with a little sigh, and clung to him.
“Now, you will not go?” she asked presently.
“I must, beloved,” he replied, tenderly. “They still depend upon me to operate the Sphere safely in an emergency. I can not refuse the professor this service. Why, if it hadn’t been for him, I could not have come to Mars, and you would still have been the emperor’s prisoner.”
“You are right. I’m afraid I am just a selfish girl with foolish fears. You must hurry now and come back to me quickly, dear.”
So they parted, Robert promising to come back to her as soon as possible, each striving to conquer a nameless fear that they would never see each other again.