"If, for instance, you were out with a friend and met a scorpion in a rage who stung you both, you'd want to take it out of the scorpion, wouldn't you, not the friend ?" She hesitated, seeing in a flash the trend of the conversation, and unwilling to commit herself too deeply.
He read her reluctance at a glance.

"Please don't be afraid of me," he said, with that most winning smile of his.

"I promise you on my honour that whatever you say shall not be used against you." She smiled involuntarily.

"I am not afraid of you, only--" "Only--" he said.
"I think there are a good many scorpions about," she told him rather piteously.

"I could name several, all venomous." "I understand," said Lucas Errol.