the same one which came to Darkover during the time of Lorin Dark, and we
should not delude ourselves that it is."
"Yes, yes-you have been saying something of that sort for years, Lew," snapped
Lady Jane "you old storm crow. I, for one, have never put much credence in
it, and I do not believe you now."
"That is your privilege, Jane, and I hope that you will never see Armida
occupied by Federation forces."
"I do not frighten easily," she answered, yet she appeared uncertain to
Mike's eye.
"Just a moment," Francisco Ridenow said before anyone else could speak. "We have
not yet chosen a new head of the Darkov Council, and I think we should, before we
begin any actual business. I nominate Dan Dark and . . ."
"Do you think you are in a democracy?" Lew interrupted sharply. "As Regis'
