Rover failed. It never mattered if Phrolova's ambitions were unattainable or she had joined fractsidus. They were the options of last resort in his absence. She clung to her memory of her village life just as a person thrown unto a raging sea clings to anything that floats. It was all she had left of the life she was supposed to have. When a person cannot see a future ahead for them they seek refuge in the past. Rover couldn't trust himself to trust her yet her eyes did not lie. The quiet desperation could be seen despite her womanly attempts to maintain her poise and dignity. She had treaded water longer than anyone, waiting to be rescued. Yet Rover did nothing except watch her drown. All he had to do was wipe her tears, kiss her gently, hug her and then take her by the hand, fulfill his promise and lead the way showing her how bright the future could be. She would have followed him to the ends of the earth had he done these things. Evil women are easy to deal with and yet he flunked this textbook case, twice.