There is in her--in all such women--a sly, smooth, sleek and graceful beast, ever seeming to invite or offer a caress----" "She is sweet and womanly; a warm friend of many years." "Oh! And am I not--womanly ?" "Are you, entirely ?" She looked at me troubled: "How would you have me be more womanly ?" "Be less a comrade, more a sweetheart." "Familiar ?" My heart was beating fast: "Familiar to my arms.

I love you." "I--do not permit myself to desire your arms.

Can I help saying so--if you ask me ?" "When I love you so----" "No.

Why are you, after all, like other men, when I once hoped----" "Other men love.

All men love.