MODUS OPERANDI V

The candle in the window burned down to the socket
Sputtered, a flared a moment
And went out unobserved
For the woman slept and dreamed
In her dreams, she sat beside the cradle of a second child
The first one was dead
The father was dead

The home in the forest was lost and the dwelling in which she lived was unfamiliar
Lifting her eyes she saw two bright objects
Starring the darkness with a reddish green glow
For these were the eyes of a panther
The beast was at the open window directly opposite and not five paces away
Nothing but those terrible eyes was visible

But in the dreadful tumult of her feelings, as the situation disclosed itself to her understanding
She somehow knew that the animal was standing on its hinder feet
Supporting itself with its paws on the window ledge
That signified a maligned interest
Not the mere gratification of an indolent curiosity