warm skin of her arms slid over his neck and face; when, in a frenzy, he reached impulsively for her hand and gripped it, she laughed yet more deliciously and permitted him to hold it.

“Why must you seek another world, Dolores?” Tomlin said hoarsely. “Here you are queen. Out in the greater world you can be no more. Stay, and let me stay with you.”

“And would my paltry possessions pay thee for renouncing thy people, thy home?” she asked.

“Home? People? God! I renounce Heaven itself if you say yes!”

“We shall see, my friend,” Dolores sighed, and Tomlin felt her tremble slightly. “My chief desire is to leave behind me this life of herder to human beasts. To go into the world whence comes such as thee, Tomlin; to live among the people who can make such as these”