Lilith
Lilith
Lilith
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the least necessity for precaution. I did not know that upon the hot stream beside which you found me, a<br />
certain woman, by no means so powerful as myself, not being immortal, had cast what you call a<br />
spell−−which is merely the setting in motion of a force as natural as any other, but operating primarily in a<br />
region beyond the ken of the mortal who makes use of the force.<br />
"I set out on my journey, reached the stream, bounded across it,−−−−"<br />
A shadow of embarrassment darkened her cheek: I understood it, but showed no sign. Checked for the merest<br />
moment, she went on:<br />
"−−you know what a step it is in parts!−−But in the very act, an indescribable cold invaded me. I recognised<br />
at once the nature of the assault, and knew it could affect me but temporarily. By sheer force of will I dragged<br />
myself to the wood−−nor knew anything more until I saw you asleep, and the horrible worm at your neck. I<br />
crept out, dragged the monster from you, and laid my lips to the wound. You began to wake; I buried myself<br />
among the leaves."<br />
She rose, her eyes flashing as never human eyes flashed, and threw her arms high over her head.<br />
"What you have made me is yours!" she cried. "I will repay you as never yet did woman! My power, my<br />
beauty, my love are your own: take them."<br />
She dropt kneeling beside me, laid her arms across my knees, and looked up in my face.<br />
Then first I noted on her left hand a large clumsy glove. In my mind's eye I saw hair and claws under it, but I<br />
knew it was a hand shut hard−−perhaps badly bruised. I glanced at the other: it was lovely as hand could be,<br />
and I felt that, if I did less than loathe her, I should love her. Not to dally with usurping emotions, I turned my<br />
eyes aside.<br />
She started to her feet. I sat motionless, looking down.<br />
"To me she may be true!" said my vanity. For a moment I was tempted to love a lie.<br />
An odour, rather than the gentlest of airy pulses, was fanning me. I glanced up. She stood erect before me,<br />
waving her lovely arms in seemingly mystic fashion.<br />
A frightful roar made my heart rebound against the walls of its cage. The alabaster trembled as if it would<br />
shake into shivers. The princess shuddered visibly.<br />
"My wine was too strong for you!" she said, in a quavering voice; "I ought not to have let you take a full<br />
draught! Go and sleep now, and when you wake ask me what you please.−−I will go with you: come."<br />
As she preceded me up the stair,−−<br />
"I do not wonder that roar startled you!" she said. "It startled me, I confess: for a moment I feared she had<br />
escaped. But that is impossible."<br />
The roar seemed to me, however−−I could not tell why−−to come from the WHITE leopardess, and to be<br />
meant for me, not the princess.<br />
<strong>Lilith</strong><br />
With a smile she left me at the door of my room, but as she turned I read anxiety on her beautiful face.<br />
<strong>Lilith</strong> 84