you, or to give you up to the bishop,
who already claims you. You have but one way of escape, that is, to
satisfy another longing of mine by changing me into a wolf. I feel
wretchedly bored, weary of keeping still. I want, by night at least,
to run free about the forest. Away with stupid servants, with dogs
that stun me with their noise, with clumsy horses that kick out and
shy at a thicket."

"But if you were caught, my lady----"

"Insolent woman! You would rather die, then?"

"At least you have heard the story of the woman-wolf, whose paw was
cut off.[66] But, oh! how sorry I should be."

[66] Among the great ladies imprisoned in their castles, this
dreadful fancy was not rare. They hungered and thirsted for
freedom, for savage freedom. Boguet mentions how, among the
hills of Auvergne, a hunter one night drew his sword upon a
she-wolf, but missing her, cut off her paw. She fled away
limping. He came to a neighbouring castle to seek the
hospitality of him who dwelt there. The gentleman, on seeing
him, asked if he had had good sport. By way of answer he
thought to draw out of his pouch the she-wolf's paw; but what
was his amazement to find instead of the paw a hand, and on
one of the fingers a ring, which the gentleman recognized as
belonging to his wife! Going at once in search of her, he
found her hurt and hiding her fore-arm. To the arm which had
lost its hand he fitted that which the hunter had brought
him, and the lady was fain to own that she it was, who in the
likeness of a wolf had attacked the hunter, and afterwards
saved herself by leaving a paw on the battle-field. The
husband had the cruelty to give her up to justice, and she
was burnt.

"That is my concern. I will hear nothing more, I am in a hurry--have
been barking already. What happiness, to hunt all by myself in the
clear moonlight; by myself to fasten on the hind, or man likewise if
he comes near me; to attack the tender children, and, above all, to
set my teeth in the women; ay, the women, for I hate them all--not one
like yourself. Don't start, I won't bite you--you are not to my taste,
and besides, you have no blood in you! 'Tis blood I crave--blood!"

She can no longer refuse. "Nothing easier, my lady. To-night, at nine
o'clock, you will drink this. Lock yourself up, and then turning into
a wolf, while they think you are still here, you can scour the
forest."

It