I expected them to fall upon me and drive me out, but they stared instead, with wide eyes--not at me, but at something behind me, and grew more ghastly as they stared.

I turned my head, and saw the white leopardess, regarding them in a way that might have feared stouter hearts.
Presently, however, one of them, seeing, I suppose, that attack was not imminent, began to recover himself; I turned to him, and let the boy go.
"Take me to the princess," I said.
"She has not yet left her room, your lordship," he replied.
"Let her know that I am here, waiting audience of her." "Will your lordship please to give me your name ?" "Tell her that one who knows the white leech desires to see her." "She will kill me if I take such a message: I must not.

I dare not." "You refuse ?" He cast a glance at my attendant, and went.
The others continued staring--too much afraid of her to take their eyes off her.

I turned to the graceful creature, where she stood, her muzzle dropped to my heel, white as milk, a warm splendour in the gloomy place, and stooped and patted her.

She looked up at me; the mere movement of her head was enough to scatter them in all directions.