midday sun
It gave him pleasure to contemplate the supple , fine outlines of her form , the whiteness of her belly , the graceful pose of her head . But it was especially when she was playing that he felt most pleasure in looking at her ; the agility and youthful lightness of her movements were a continual surprise to him ; he wondered at the supple way in which she jumped and climbed , washed herself and arranged her fur , crouched down and prepared to spring . However rapid her spring might be , however slippery the stone she was on , she would always stop short at the word `` Mignonne . '' One day , in a bright midday sun , an enormous bird coursed through the air . The man left his panther to look at his new guest ; but after waiting a moment the deserted sultana growled deeply . `` My goodness ! I do believe she 's jealous , '' he cried , seeing her eyes become hard again ; `` the soul of Virginie has passed into her body ; that 's certain . ''