A BEAST OF PREY 



67 



careless of the two eager postulants for her hand 

 and heart, but in reality observing them with 

 critical eyes, and ready to rush out and devour 

 them if they fail to please her. The gentle- 

 men, accordingly, 

 have to be very 

 artful. They go 

 through strange 

 antics. Now they 

 approach her cau- 

 tiously, very much 

 on the alert, ready 

 to pull the string 

 and advertise her 

 of their presence, 

 but also prepared 

 to turn and run, 

 or to cut the line 

 and drop, if she 

 does not regard 

 their advances 

 with favour. Now 

 again they retreat, 

 alarmed at her 

 aspect. Rosalind 

 sulks in her web Na 9- ROSALIND WATCHING HER TWO 



SUITORS, IN DOUBT WHETHER TO 



and waits to see ACCEPT OR DEVOUR THEM. 



which of the two 



she prefers, if either. Should the fit so seize her, 

 she will accept one or other of her ardent suitors ; 

 but should she happen to be hungry or else to 

 be disappointed, or in an ill-humour, she may 



