396 THE WHITE CAT.

So they again took leave of the king and of each other, and
set out without delay, and in less than twelve hours our young
prince arrived in his splendid car at the palace of his dear white
cat. Everything went on as before till the end of another year.
At length only one day remained of the year, when the white
cat thus addressed him: “To morrow, my prince, you must
present yourself at the palace of your father, and give him a
proof of your obedience. It depends only on yourself, to con-
duct thither the most beautiful princess ever yet beheld, for the
time is come when the enchantment by which I am bound may
be ended. You must cut off my head and tail,” continued she,
“and throw them into the fire.” I!” said the prince, hastily,
“T cut off your head and tail! You surely mean to try my
affection, which, believe me, beautiful cat, is truly yours.”—
“You mistake me, generous prince,” said she, “I do not doubt
your regard ; but if you wish to see me in any other form than
that of a cat, you must consent to do as I desire ; when you will
have done me a service I shall never be able sufficiently to re-
pay.” The prince’s eyes filled with tears as she spoke, yet he
considered himself obliged to undertake the dreadful task ; and
the cat continuing to press him with the greatest eagerness, with
a trembling hand he drew his sword, cut off her head and tail,
and threw them into the fire. No sooner was this done, than
the most beautiful lady his eyes had ever seen stood before him :
and before he had sufficiently recovered from his surprise to
speak to her, along train of attendants, who, at the same moment
as their mistress, were changed to their natural shapes, came
to offer their congratulations to the queen, and inquire her
commands. She received them with the greatest kindness, and
ordering them to withdraw, thus addressed the astonished prince ;
“Do not imagine, dear prince, that I have always been a cat,
or that I am of obscure birth, My father was the monarch of
six kingdoms; he tenderly loved my mother, and left her