Look here!" With that he pulled the massive jaws apart, and, bending down, laid his head within them.

The lion stood perfectly passive, and did not offer to close his mouth until it was again empty.
It was then that Cleek remembered and glanced round at young Scarmelli.
"He never 'smiles' for any but the chevalier and his son, I believe you said," he remarked.

"I wonder if the chevalier himself would be as safe if he were to make a feint of doing that ?" For the chevalier, like most of the other performers, had not changed his dress after the matinee, since the evening performance was soon to begin; and if, as Cleek had an idea, that the matter of costume and make-up had anything to do with the mystery of the thing, here, surely, was a chance to learn.
"Make a feint of it?
Certainly I will, doctor," the chevalier replied.
"But why a feint?
Why not the actual thing ?" "No, please--at least, not until I have seen how the beast is likely to take it.

Just put your head down close to his muzzle, chevalier.

Go slow, please, and keep your head at a safe distance." The chevalier obeyed.