Chapters 25-28 Summary

In Chapter 25, Vane penetrates, unchallenged, the palace's large hall, where he sees a caged spotted leopard, demands to see the Princess, and is hugged by a pacing white leopard. In a dark room the Princess claims to have known that Vane would find her. He wonders how she could have changed so, how obvious beauty and suspected evil could coexist. He bathes and eats, both times fearing drugs or enchantment, before hearing the Princess' views on their differing natures, old age, and perfection, and how Vane alone of all the men who have sought to love has passed the test by having no ulterior motives. She tells of going to evict "savage dwarf-people," falling under an evil spell at the hot stream, and dragging herself into the woods. She recalls nothing further until she sees rescues Vane from the "horrible wound...