RENAISSANCE 75 



Still more pathetic is the story of Mile, du Puy's 

 music loving cat, who listened with critical atten- 

 tion when his mistress played upon the harp ; mani- 

 festing his pleasure if she played well, and his an- 

 noyance if she blundered. Mile, du Puy attributed 

 her skill as a harpist mainly to this cat's taste and 

 judgment ; and, to mark her gratitude for so great 

 a service, she bequeathed him at her death a town 

 house, a country house, and an income sufficient to 

 maintain both establishments. Her family, grasp- 

 ing and avaricious as are most kith and kin, con- 

 tested the will, and succeeded, after a long struggle 

 in the courts, in wresting from the legatee an estate 

 which, by every law of justice and morality, was his, 

 and his alone. 



Of all the cats, however, whom Moncrif delighted 

 to applaud, none fills so proud a place in his letters, 

 and in our regard, as Grisette, the beloved pet of 

 Mme. Deshoullieres. 



" Deshoullieres cares not for the smart 



Her bright eyes cause, disdainful hussy ! 

 But, like a mouse, her idle heart 

 Is captured by a pussy." 



Grisette was a cat of parts. Her manners were 

 marked by gentle distinction ; and to her rare 

 beauty were added intelligence, and a somewhat 

 chilling sweetness of character. She inspired af- 

 fection in all whom she honoured with her notice ; 



