PresentlyIheardthelatchmove,slow,slow:Ilookedup,andseeingthedoorhalf—open,roseandslidsoftlyin。Behinditstood,notthewomanIhadbefriended,butthemuffledwomanofthedesert。Withoutawordsheledmeafewstepstoanemptystone—pavedchamber,andpointedtoarugonthefloor。Iwrappedmyselfinit,andoncemorelaydown。Sheshutthedooroftheroom,andIheardtheouterdooropenandcloseagain。Therewasnolightsavewhatcamefromthemoonlitair。
AsIlaysleepless,Ibegantohearastifledmoaning。Itwentonforagoodwhile,andthencamethecryofachild,followedbyaterribleshriek。Isprangupanddartedintothepassage:fromanotherdoorinitcamethewhiteleopardesswithanew—bornbabyinhermouth,carryingitlikeacubofherown。Ithrewmyselfuponher,andcompelledhertodroptheinfant,whichfellonthestoneslabswithapiteouswail。
Atthecryappearedthemuffledwoman。Shesteppedoverus,thebeastandmyself,wherewelaystrugglinginthenarrowpassage,tookupthechild,andcarrieditaway。Returning,sheliftedmeofftheanimal,openedthedoor,andpushedmegentlyout。Atmyheelsfollowedtheleopardess。
\"Shetoohasfailedme！\"thoughtI;\"——givenmeuptothebeasttobesettledwithatherleisure！Butweshallhaveatussleforit！\"
Irandownthestair,fearingshewouldspringonmyback,butshefollowedmequietly。AtthefootIturnedtolayholdofher,butshesprangovermyhead;andwhenagainIturnedtofaceher,shewascrouchingatmyfeet！Istoopedandstrokedherlovelywhiteskin;sherespondedbylickingmybarefeetwithherharddrytongue。