end of the hall opened, and there entered a tiny
figure covered with a long black veil, marshalled by
two cats wearing black velvet mantles, and
carrying swords of state. They were followed by
a train of other cats, which carried cages full of rats
and mice.
The Prince was so much astonished that he rubbed
his eyes, thinking he was dreaming, but the little
figure came up to him, threw back the veil, and
disclosed the loveliest white cat conceivable.
' She looked very young and very sad. Ina gentle
vice that went straight to the Prince’s heart she
said—
‘King’s son, you are welcome. The Queen of the
Cats rejoices to see and salute you.’
‘Madam Puss!’ answered the Prince, with a bow,
‘I thank you for your kindly reception ; but surely
you can be no common pussy-cat. The magnifi-
cence and state that surround you convince me to
the contrary.’
‘King’s son,’ said the White Cat, ‘I am unac-
customed to compliments. Let supper be served
and the musicians cease their strains, as appa-
rently, sir, you do not relish their music.’

Then the mysterious hands began to serve supper,

and first they put on the table two dishes, one
containing roast pigeons and the other fricasseed
mice.

The Prince declined the latter dish with horror;
but the White Cat assured him that her cook had
special orders to serve him with entirely different
food from herself, and that he need not fall to on
rats or mice unless he hada mind to. The Prince,
confident that she would not deceive him, at once
began his dinner on the roast pigeon.

Presently he observed ‘that the little paw of the
White-Cat which was next him was adorned with
a bracelet from which hung a miniature portrait.
When the White Cat saw that he was desirous of

211

THE
WHITE
CAT