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He made sure that the chair opposite her was old-style before he lowered himself into it. “Where’s the general? I thought he always sat in on these conferences.”

“The formalities are over now,” she said, smiling up at him. “Besides,” she added, “if he doesn’t take a nap after lunch, it wreaks havoc with his digestion. Afraid to be alone with me, Clarey?” she asked huskily.

“Yes,” he said, rising, “as a matter of fact, I am, now that you mention it.”

She sat up. “Sit down!”

He sat down.

She didn’t recline again. Her dress went opaque, but her voice grew silken once more. “Listen, Clarey, I don’t want you to think we’re cheating you out of anything we promised. Even though you stayed only five years, you’re going to have it all. You’ll have U-E status—”

“What do I want that for?”

“Doesn’t it mean anything to you any more, Clarey? It used to mean a lot, though you denied it even to yourself.”

“Did it?” He forced his thoughts back through time. “I suppose it did. But I’ve changed. You know, those five years on Damorlan seem like—”