Lucy had been his constant inspiration in all of this.

She had surveyed the field that first night of their meeting and had discovered that the young man's personality offered the only material in Warehold available for her purpose.

With him, or someone like him--one who had leisure and freedom, one who was quick and strong and skilful (and Bart was all of these)--the success of her summer would be assured.

Without him many of her plans could not be carried out.
And her victory over him had been an easy one.

Held first by the spell of her beauty and controlled later by her tact and stronger will, the young man's effrontery--almost impudence at times--had changed to a certain respectful subservience, which showed itself in his constant effort to please and amuse her.