20 The Book of Cats. 



smile ; " but, my dear Mrs. H — , we have no 

 Cat !" 



" Indeed ! that is very odd, for there is certainly 

 a Cat in the room." 



" Did you see it then } " 



" No, sir, no : I did not see it, but I know it is in 

 the room." 



" Do you fancy you heard one then } " 



" No, sir." 



" What is the matter, my dear ^ " now enquires 

 the lady of the house, from the end of the long 

 table ; " the dinner will be quite cold while you are 

 talking to your fair neighbour so busily." 



" Mrs. H — says there is a Cat in the room, my 

 love ; but we have no Cat, have we ? " 



" No, certainly ! " replied the lady tartly. " Do 

 carve the haunch, Mr. — ." 



The footman held the plate nearer, a due portion 

 of the savoury meat was placed upon it. 



" To Mrs. H — ," said the host, and turned to look 

 again at his fair neighbour ; but her uneasiness and 

 confusion were greater than ever. Her brow was 

 crimson — every eye was turned towards her, and 

 she looked ready to cry. 



" I will leave the room, if you will allow me, sir, 

 for I k?iow that there is a Cat in the room." 



