THE
WHITE
CAT

examining it, she passed it to him, and he was
enchanted to see that it represented an extremely
handsome young man who was remarkably like
himself.
The White Cat sighed as he looked at it, and
looked more depressed in spirits than before. The
Prince forbore asking questions, lest he should pain
her, and turned to talk of other matters. He
found the White Cat very intelligent, well read,
and well versed in politics.
After supper they retired into another room, which
was fitted up as a theatre, and cats acted there
and danced for the amusement of the Prince and
the White Cat. —
After a while the Queen of the Cats rose from
her seat, bade the Prince a graceful adieu, wished
a a good night and peaceful sleep, and with-
rew.
Thereupon the hands reappeared and conducted
him into a room he had not seen hitherto, hung
with tapestry made of butterfly wings of every
hue; there were mirrors reaching to the floor, and
a cozy white bed with curtains round it tied up
with pink ribbons.
The Prince retired to bed, and very soon fell fast
asleep. Next morning he was awakened by a
noise outside his window, and en looking out saw
that a number of cats were in the courtyard, some
leading greyhounds, others blowing horns.
Presently the hands reappeared and dressed the
Prince in a complete hunting suit of green and
silver. Then they threw open the door, and he
was conducted below, where he saw the White
Cat in a green riding-habit mounted on an ape,
ready for hunting. The hands brought up a
wooden horse for the Prince to mount. He did
not see that he would have much sport riding on a
wooden horse ; however, as the White Cat seemed
to expect it, he threw himself on its back, where-
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