Dacre raised himself with leisurely self-assurance and peered in the same direction.

It was not his nature to be easily disturbed.
But Stella's hand still clung to his arm, and there was agitation in her hold.

"What is it ?" she whispered.

"What can it be?
I have seen it move--twice.

Ah, look! Is it--is it--a panther ?" "Good gracious, child, no!" Carelessly he made response, and with the words disengaged himself from her hand and stood up.