He had cherished a delusion that it was Mel Iden's spirit alone, the wonderful soul of her, that had stormed his heart and won it.

But he found to his consternation that however he revered her soul, it was the woman also who now allured him.

That moment of revelation to Lane was a catastrophe.

Was there no peace on earth for him?
What had he done to be so tortured?
He had a secret he must hide from Mel Iden.

He was human, he was alone, he needed love, but this seemed madness.