let you go. Wherever my home be, I have chosen my wife. If I stay in England, in England you will stay; if I cross the Atlantic, you will cross it also: our lives are riveted; our lots intertwined.'
"'And are we equal then, sir? Are we equal at last?'
"'You are younger, frailer, feebler, more ignorant than I.'
"'Will you be good to me, and never tyrannize?'
"'Will you let me breathe, and not bewilder me? You must not smile at present. The world swims and changes round me. The sun is a dizzying scarlet blaze; the sky a violet vortex whirling over me.'
"I am a strong man, but I staggered as I spoke. All creation was exaggerated: colour grew more vivid; motion more rapid; life itself more vital. I hardly saw her for a moment; but I heard her voice—pitilessly sweet. She would not subdue one of her charms in compassion: perhaps she did not know what I felt.
"'You name me leopardess: remember, the leopardess is tameless,' said she.
"'Tame or fierce, wild or subdued, you are mine.'
"'I am glad I know my keeper, and am used to him. Only his voice will I follow; only his hand shall manage me; only at his feet will I repose.'
"I took her back to her seat, and sat down by her side: I wanted to hear her speak again: I could never have enough of her voice and her words.
"'How much do you love me?' I asked.
