in a sort of wildly wondering appeal. Her laughter rang out in
silvery sweet ripples, and throwing herself lazily back in her
throne, she called..

"Aizif! ... Aizif!"

The great tigress instantly bounded forward like an obedient
hound, and placed its fore-paws on her knees, while she playfully
held a sugared comfit high above its head.

"Up, Aizif! up!" she cried mirthfully.. "Up! and be like a man for
once! ... snatch thy pleasure at all hazards!"

With a roar, the savage brute leaped and sprang, its sharp white
teeth fully displayed, its sly green eyes glisteningly prominent,
--and again Lysia's rich laughter pealed forth, mingling with the
impatient snarls of her terrific favorite. Still she held the
tempting morsel in her little snowy hand that glittered all over
with rare gems,--and still the tigress continued to make impotent
attempts to reach it, growing more and more ferocious with every
fresh effort,--till all at once she shut her palm upon the dainty
so that it could not be seen, and lightly catching the irritated
beast by the throat brought its eyes on a level with her own. The
effect was instantaneous, ... a strong shudder passed through its
frame--and it cowered and crouched lower and lower, in abject
fear,--the sweat broke out, and stood in large drops on its sleek
hide, and panting heavily, as the firm grasp its mistress slowly
relaxed, it sank down prone, in trembling abasement on the second
step of the dais, still looking up into those densely brilliant
gazelle eyes that were full of such deadly fascination and