THE CAT TO-DAY 



3°5 



herself, and flings a glance at me which says, " You 

 see how wide awake I am." Then very, very slowly, 

 sleep touches her with soft, persuasive finger. She 

 sinks down, down ; the small proud head is lowered ; 

 the gleaming eyes are shut ; a half-articulate purr 

 grows fainter and fainter until it melts impercepti- 

 bly into the soft and regular breathing which be- 

 trays her slumber. I stop my work and look at 

 her, or rather I look at her ghost, the inspiration of 

 this poor book, written to do her honour. It is 

 finished now, and Agrippina sleeps. I lay it gen- 

 tly down before the shadowy presence. It is her 

 password to Elysium. It is my offering to her, 

 and hers to the Immortals, that they may give her 

 place. She has waited for it seven years. Little 

 grey phantom, haunt me no longer with reproachful 

 eyes. I have kept my word. I have done my best. 

 And the book belongs to you. 



