in furs (the kiss of the enamoured little cat ran through me like a shudder)

***

"

While I put her furs about her, he stands to one side with his arms crossed.  While I am on my knees putting on her fur over-shoes, she lightly supports herself with her hand on his shoulder.  She asks:

And what about the lioness?

When the lion whom she has chosen and with whom she lives is attacked by another, the Greek went on with the narrative, the lioness quietly lies down and watches the battle.  Even if her mate is worsted she does not go to his aid.  She looks on indifferently as he bleeds to death under his opponent's claws, and follows the victor, the stronger - that is the female's nature.

At this moment my lioness looked quickly and curiously at me.
It made me shudder, though I didn't know why - and the red dawn immerses me and her and him in blood.

†  †  †

(There is something uncanny in the kindness with which she treats me.  I seem like a little captive maus with which a beautiful cat prettily plays.  She is ready at any moment to tear it to pieces, and my heart of a maus threatens to burst.)

"

***

Sacher-Masoch, Venus in Furs