<THE CAT 



sharp claws, and tossed him high into the air. 

 Then, as his body fell limply to the ground, she 

 sat down upon him, quietly and gravely, less like 

 a conqueror than like a judge who has sentenced a 

 criminal, and who is unvexed by the dissenting 

 opinions of the vulgar. Her fury subsided into 

 calm, her green eyes opened unblinkingly upon the 

 sun, she assumed once more her sphinx-like attitude, 

 her air of impenetrable mystery. 



After a few minutes spent in profound contem- 

 plation, the cat arose, stretched herself, and coldly 

 and silently departed. 



Jules Husson Champfleury. 



58 



