ANECDOTE OF A CAT. 107 



his apartment^ and seated herself by her master. 

 He adds, that a picture, in the possession of the 

 Duchess of Portland at Bulstrode, of this nobleman, in 

 a black dress and cloak, with the faithful animal at 

 his side, may be supposed either to confirm the fact, 

 or to have given rise to such an extraordinary story. 



" A circumstance happened in my own neighbour- 

 hood, a few years ago," continued Mrs. Palmer, 

 " the truth of which I cannot doubt, as it was 

 related to me by a person who was a spectator of 

 the occurrence.* The mistress of the house was sit- 

 ting by the fire, when the cat came to her, and, look- 

 ing up in her face, mewed most piteously. At first, 

 being engaged, she paid no attention to it ; but the 

 cat was not to be discouraged by this neglect : she 

 continued her cries, going towards the door, and re- 

 turning to the lady, in the greatest agitation. These 

 actions were so often repeated, and in such an im- 

 pressive manner, that she felt curious to know the 

 cause of such uneasiness; though she was reluctant 

 to leave her seat, till the cat, extending her claws, 

 pulled her by the apron. She could no longer resist 

 the importunity of the distressed animal : she rose, 

 and followed her conductor into a small wash-house, 

 where some tubs, partly filled with water, were 

 standing, into one of which a child nearly two years 



* On the authority of Mrs. Cobbold of Ipswich. 



