390 THE WHITE CAT.

your generosity, nor can I help observing that you must be an
extraordinary ereature to possess, with your present form, the
gift of speech, and the magnificent palace I have seen.”—“ All
this is very true,’ answered the beautiful cat: “‘but, prince, I
am not fond of talking, and least of all do I like compliments ;
Jet us therefore sit down to supper.” The trunkless hands then
placed the dishes on the table, and the prince and white cat
seated themselves. The first dish was a pie made of young
pigeons, and the next was a fricassee of the fattest mice : the
view of the one made the prince almost afraid to taste the
other; till the white cat, who guessed his thoughts, assured
him that there were certain dishes at table in which there was
not a morsel of either rat or mouse, which had been dressed on
purpose for him: accordingly he ate heartily of such as she
recommended, When supper was over, the prince perceived
that the white cat had a portrait set in gold hanging to one of
her feet. He begged her permission to look at it ; when, to his
astonishment, he saw the portrait of a handsome young man,
who exactly resombled himself! He thought.there was some-
thing very extraordinary in all this: yet, as the white cat
sighed and looked very sorrowful, he did not venture to ask
any questions. He conversed with her on different subjects,
and found her extremely well versed in everything that was
passing in the world. When night was far advanced, the white
cat wished him a good night, and he was conducted by the hands
to his bed-chamber, which was different still from anything he
had seen in the palace, being hung with the wings of butterflies,
mixed with the most curious feathers. His bed was of gauze,
festooned with bunches of the gayest ribands, and the looking-
glasses reached from the floor to the ceiling. ‘The prince was
undressed and put into bed by the hands, without speaking a
word. He, however, slept little, and in the morning wasawakened