THE SQUALL OF THE LEOPARD When he was gone, when I had seen the postern door shut behind him, I felt suddenly weak and faint.

I was amazed to find how exhausted I was left by the ebbing of the hot wave of indignation and rage which had surged through me as I revolted from his absurd and contemptible proposals.

I felt flaccid and limp.
At this instant Agathemer brought me a tray of food.

My impulse was to burst out at him with reproaches for having, without consulting me, presumed to arrange for me an interview with a man not among my intimates.
But I was so enraged that I dreaded the effect on me, in my weakened state, if I let myself go in respect to rebuking my slave.

I kept silent and was mildly surprised to find myself tempted by the food.