MARQUIS WHO HATED WOMEN

As the ship rocked violently, Shikara clung to the Marquis' lapel with a frantic grip.

"I am afraid," she said. "I cannot help it -- I have always been afraid in a storm."

"It's all right," he said soothingly. "It's quite understandable in -- a woman!"

Then he felt her body stiffen, and with an effort she released her grip.

"I'm sorry," she said. For suddenly she knew that she should never have allowed herself to be weak in his presence.

Now that he had seen that she was just like any other frail woman, Shikara despairingly wondered if he could ever love her as she so desperately wished.

In timp ce nava se legana violent, Shikara se agata de reverul marchizului cu o strangere frenetica: „Mi-e teama”, a spus ea. „Nu ma pot abtine - mi-a fost intotdeauna frica intr-o furtuna.” „Este in regula”, a spus el linistitor.