330 THE INVISIBLE PRINCE.

agreeable coolness. As soon as she was entered, the music
Degan, a sumptuous supper was served up, and the birds from
several aviaries on each side of the room, of which Abricotina
had the chief care, opened their little throats in the most
agreeable manner.

Leander had travelled a journey long enough to give him a
good appetite, which made him draw near the table, where the
very smell of such viands was agreeable and refreshing. The
princess had a curious tabby cat, for which she had a great
Kindness. This cat one of the maids of honour held in her
arms, saying: “Madam, Bluet is hungry !” With thata chair
was presently brought for the cat, for he was acat of quality,
and had a necklace of pearl about his neck. He was served
on a gold plate, with a laced napkin before him, and the plate
being supplied with meat, Bluet sat with the solemn importance
ofan alderman. “Ho, ho,” cried Leander to himself, “an idle
tabby malkin, that perhaps never caught a mouse in its life,
and I dare say not descended from a better family than myself,
has the honour to sit at table with my mistress: I would fain
now whether he Joyes her so well as I do ; and whether it be
reasonable that I should only swallow the steam, while he has
choice bits to feed upon.” Saying this, he placed himself in
the chair with the cat upon his knee, for nobody saw him,
because he had his little red cap on ; finding Bluet’s plate so
well supplied as it was, with partridge, quails, and pheasants,
he made bold with them; so that whatever was set before
master puss, disappeared in a trice. The whole court said no
cat ever ate with a better appetite. There were excellent
ragouts, and the prince made use of the cat's paw to taste
them ; but he sometimes pulled his paw tod roughly, and
Bluet, not understanding raillery, began to mew and be quite
out of patience, ‘The princess observing it, “Bring that