It was impossible for Duke to maintain the philosophic calm of M.Fabre, however; there was no magnifying glass between him and this spined and spiky face.

Indeed, Duke was not in a position to think the matter over quietly.

If he had been able to do that, he would have said to himself: "We have here an animal of most peculiar and unattractive appearance, though, upon examination, it seems to be only a cat stealing a fishbone.
Nevertheless, as the thief is large beyond all my recollection of cats and has an unpleasant stare, I will leave this spot at once." On the contrary, Duke was so electrified by his horrid awakening that he completely lost his presence of mind.

In the very instant of his first eye's opening, the other eye and his mouth behaved similarly, the latter loosing upon the quiet air one shriek of mental agony before the little dog scrambled to his feet and gave further employment to his voice in a frenzy of profanity.

At the same time the subterranean diapason of a demoniac bass viol was heard; it rose to a wail, and rose and rose again till it screamed like a small siren.