‘You see before you a creature taken from a jungle tribe, the Leopardus tribus.’ He ignored a guffaw that came from one of the middle rows on the right and continued. ‘This primitive race can be found only in Africa. Strong, sleek, like the big cats they are named for, this one was doubtless the runt and had been discarded.’

It was the typical freak-show turn. The spiel was not so different from how I was introduced. Until now I’d dismissed it as part of the game, knowing it wasn’t really about me, Zillah. It was about Amazonia, someone else entirely. I wondered who the Leopard Lady really was, what products she used on her skin and hair to produce such strange effects. I peered more closely, trying to work it out, and then her eyes connected briefly with mine. In them, I saw the very depths of her confusion and fear, and it hit me like a hammer blow. She wasn’t gaffed as I was.

What must she be feeling? All I could do was pray that she didn’t understand English, nor that Crillick had named her for a dangerous animal and stolen her humanity. Standing there listening to it, I felt ashamed, not just for myself, but for this aristocratic audience. Educated, worldly and yet they lapped it up.

‘Who found it?’ a male voice called out.

‘A treasure hunter. He came across her quite by accident. She’d been abandoned by her mate,’ Crillick said. ‘We’ve made her presentable, of course, but in the wild she wore no clothing of any kind.’

‘Is she dangerous?’

‘Find out for yourselves. Which among you brave souls will be first to approach her?’ Crillick said.

Henrietta, next to Vincent in the front row, had leant forward in her chair for a better look. Crillick beckoned her to the stage. ‘Come, Hen. You can touch her.’

Henrietta stood up slowly and squared her narrow shoulders. Just a moment ago she had pressed herself into Vincent in mock-fear. Now she was courageous enough to confront the Leopard Lady. Crillick held out one hand to assist her on to the stage. In the other he now grasped a stick, thick as a broom handle.

‘Go on. It’s quite safe.’