THE SIX KITTENS. 57

to the hedgehog, and so we will not tell their secrets; but this. we
may mention, that they wandered up and down the pathways of
the forest, now and then pouncing on a stray field-mouse or a
poor sleeping bird, until the moon shone brightly through the
trees. And we know that they parted at length by the sign-post
at the edge of the wood, when Paulina shed many tears, and
Marten, laying his paw upon his heart, vowed ever to be constant
to her, and in all his travels and all his adventures to remember
his sweet Pussy. To have seen how the poor kitten wept when
she went to bed that night, would have grieved a hard-hearted
terrier; and to have seen how melancholy she looked as she wan-

dered about for three weeks afterwards, would have drawn pity
from a ferocious bull-dog.

One morning, about seven months after the events we have
narrated, there was a great commotion in the house where the
kittens dwelt; the bells rang, the flags were hoisted, and little
cannon fired. In the papers of the next morning we read that
Ensign Squeaker of the Household Pigade carried off the beautiful
Miss Rose, and young Marten Sable of the Forest his fair prize
Miss Paulina, both on the same day.

May they all enjoy much felicity, and may the brides catch
plenty of mice ! |