SOME CATS OF FRANCE 209 



Four Candles Club; ' — the light in the room being 

 restricted to four candles, burning in four silver 

 candlesticks, at the four corners of the table. 

 Sometimes the talk became so animated that, like 

 Cinderella, I forgot the hour; and once or twice 

 Pierrot sat up for me until two o'clock in the morn- 

 ing. This appeared to him unreasonable ; therefore 

 he ceased his attentions altogether, and retired to 

 rest without me. I was touched by his mute pro- 

 test against my innocent dissipation, and resolved 

 to return thenceforth faithfully at twelve. Pierrot, 

 doubtful at first of the permanency of my reform, 

 waited until he saw that my conversion was sincere, 

 and then resumed his old post by the door. 



" It is a difficult matter to gain the affection of 

 a cat. He is a methodical animal, tenacious of his 

 own habits, fond of order and neatness, and disin- 

 clined to extravagant sentiment. He will be your 

 friend, if he finds you worthy of friendship, but not 

 your slave. His tenderness never costs him his 

 freedom. Yet what confidence is implied in his 

 steadfast companionship through hours of solitude, 

 of melancholy, and of work. He lies for long even- 

 ings on your knee, purring contentedly, and forsak- 

 ing for you the agreeable society of his kind. In 

 vain, melodious mewings on the roof invite him to 

 one of those animated assemblies where fish bones 

 take the place of tea and cake. He is not to be 



