narrow door of an antechamber, he drew it aside, and there came forth,
clothed in a garment of gold and green, close-fitting and fine,
clasped about the waist with a twining belt of jewelled snakes, the
Lady Sybilla.




CHAPTER XXVI

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!"