Lilith
Lilith
Lilith
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"Yes, I am going to Bulika," I said, "−−to see the princess."<br />
"Have a care; you had better not go!−−But perhaps you are−−! The princess is a very good, kind woman!"<br />
I heard a little movement. Clouds had by this time gathered so thick over the moon that I could scarcely see<br />
my companion: I feared she was rising to run from me.<br />
"You are in no danger of any sort from me," I said. "What oath would you like me to take?"<br />
"I know by your speech that you are not of the people of Bulika," she replied; "I will trust you!−−I am not of<br />
them, either, else I should not be able: they never trust any one−−If only I could see you! But I like your<br />
voice!−−There, my darling is asleep! The foul beast has not hurt her!−−Yes: it was my baby she was after!"<br />
she went on, caressing the child. "And then she would have torn her mother to pieces for carrying her<br />
off!−−Some say the princess has two white leopardesses," she continued: "I know only one−−with spots.<br />
Everybody knows HER! If the princess hear of a baby, she sends her immediately to suck its blood, and then<br />
it either dies or grows up an idiot. I would have gone away with my baby, but the princess was from home,<br />
and I thought I might wait until I was a little stronger. But she must have taken the beast with her, and been<br />
on her way home when I left, and come across my track. I heard the SNIFF−SNUFF of the leopardess behind<br />
me, and ran;−−oh, how I ran!−−But my darling will not die! There is no mark on her!"<br />
"Where are you taking her?"<br />
"Where no one ever tells!"<br />
"Why is the princess so cruel?"<br />
"There is an old prophecy that a child will be the death of her. That is why she will listen to no offer of<br />
marriage, they say."<br />
"But what will become of her country if she kill all the babies?"<br />
"She does not care about her country. She sends witches around to teach the women spells that keep babies<br />
away, and give them horrible things to eat. Some say she is in league with the Shadows to put an end to the<br />
race. At night we hear the questing beast, and lie awake and shiver. She can tell at once the house where a<br />
baby is coming, and lies down at the door, watching to get in. There are words that have power to shoo her<br />
away, only they do not always work−−But here I sit talking, and the beast may by this time have got home,<br />
and her mistress be sending the other after us!"<br />
As thus she ended, she rose in haste.<br />
<strong>Lilith</strong><br />
"I do not think she will ever get home.−−Let me carry the baby for you!" I said, as I rose also.<br />
She returned me no answer, and when I would have taken it, only clasped it the closer.<br />
"I cannot think," I said, walking by her side, "how the brute could be bleeding so much!"<br />
"Take my advice, and don't go near the palace," she answered. "There are sounds in it at night as if the dead<br />
were trying to shriek, but could not open their mouths!"<br />
She bade me an abrupt farewell. Plainly she did not want more of my company; so I stood still, and heard her<br />
footsteps die away on the grass.<br />
<strong>Lilith</strong> 74