AND HER Cart. 13

misfortune, which did really come to pass: that night a cou-
‘2 rier was despatched from
2 the family country-seat,

a in Worcestershire, who
brought a letter to the
countess, from her youn-
ger sister, informing her
that she had broken one
__ of her legs by a fall from
==. her carriage, and that she

wanted to see her sole
surviving relative with-
out any loss of time. La-
» dy Greenford was too
kind and affectionate to
hesitate a single mo-
ment: “I will set out to-morrow,” said she. Hereupon
Mowmouth, whose eyes were watching his benefactress,
uttered a doleful mewing.

« Poor cat!” replied the lady, tenderly; “TI shall be
obliged to leave thee. I cannot carry thee with me, for
my sister bears a dislike to animals of your species—she
believes them to be treacherous. What unmerited obloquy !
Tn her youth it once happened, as she was stroking a young
cat, who was so much affected by her kindness that he
scratched her unintentionally. Was there any treachery
in that ?—no! it was a sign of sensibility rather; and yet,
ever since that day, my sister has sworn an everlasting
hatred to cats.”

Mowmouth looked at his mistress, as much as to say,
* You, at any rate, do us justice—you, a woman of so
superior a mind!”

After a moment's silence, the countess added, “ Dame
Mitchell, I trust this cat to your care.” ‘

“We will take great care of him, my lady,” said Daddy
Sharpphiz.