"That's not necessary, thank you. I'm intruding. This whole business-" He turned away-and paused. Gawain was right there behind him, spreading his arms to block his retreat. He did not want to walk through the ghost.

Orlene came up and took his arm. Her touch was light and gentle and utterly right; he had a momentary mental picture of a porcelain statuette, a work of art, inconceivably delicate, precious, and cool. "Please," she repeated. "He set it up," Norton said, indicating Gawain. "You don't have to say that," Orlene said, sounding just a bit nettled. "You don't have to justify yourself."

"Yes, I do! He's your husband! I can't simply-even if I were satisfactory, I mean, it would still be wrong."

"My husband is dead," she said. "I know. That's why-" Norton shrugged, confused about his own emotions, wishing he were back in the forest. "How can you face him like this and-?"

"Me?" she flared. She was one of those few women who really did seem as pretty angry as happy. "How can you men exchange stories, and use a great warrior's death to try to-to-!"

"But he told me!" Norton said. "Gawain brought me here! Ask him! He'll tell you!"

She looked into Norton's face, then turned away, hurt. He felt like a monster who had just pulled the wings off a dozen beautiful butterflies.

"She can't see me," Gawain said. "She can't hear me. I told you that. She doesn't really believe in me."

Norton was shocked. "You mean she thinks this is just a scheme to-to hit on-?"

"I told you you'd have to handle the introduction yourself," the ghost reminded him. "She's ready to accept you; don't mess it up."

Norton turned to Orlene again. "You really can't see or hear-Gawain?"

"Of course I can't," she said, her face still hurt. "Only his picture." She gestured to a framed painting on the wall inside.

Norton turned around to get a better view. It was Gawain, garbed in his armor, with a dragon painted on his shield and X'd out. The bold killer of dragons.

Norton shook his head. "This is all wrong. I think I have insulted you, Orlene. I misunderstood-the situation. I apologize and I'll leave."

"Oh, you mustn't leave!" she protested. "I don't care what brought you here, really. You glow so brightly! I never expected to see-"

"I glow?"

"Her magic power," Gawain said from outside. "The right man glows. You're it, all right."

"It's hard to explain," Orlene said. "It doesn't mean I like a man, or want to. It just means that, objectively, he is-" She spread her hands helplessly.

"I think I understand," Norton said. He had thought he would be rejected, once he saw how lovely she was; now he was unable to turn down what was offered, though he remained disturbed by the situation. "Perhaps I will accept your tea after all." He stepped back into the apartment.