THE LION TAMER On this summer afternoon the girl's beauty seemed more wondrous and magical than ever.

Her eyes were purple-black, like the berries of the deadly nightshade seen in the twilight.

Her face was pale, and the scarlet of her lips lay like twin geranium petals on new-fallen snow.
Gilles de Retz followed her with a certain grim and ghastly pride, as he marked the sensation caused by her entrance.
"This," he said, "is my lion tamer!" But the girl never looked at him, nor in any way responded to his glances.
"Sybilla," said de Retz, holding her with his eyes, "these gentlemen are with us.

They also are of the enemies of the house of Douglas--speak freely that which is in your heart!" "My lords," said the Lady Sybilla, speaking in a level voice, and with her eyes fixed on the leaf-shadowed square of grass, which alone could be seen through the open window, "you have, I doubt not, each declared your grievance against William, Earl of Douglas.

I alone have none.