THE CAT= 



has he won from her the smallest token of regard. 

 Never has she vouchsafed him a caress by way of 

 thanks, nor consented to go to him, when called 

 with loving words and tender cajoleries. 



Here is a picture painted with sincerity, and in 

 unvarnished colours. No devotion on our part can 

 soften these little tyrants whom we never dream of 

 resisting, and who end by triumphing even over the 

 dog, their ancient and hereditary foe. Alas, poor 

 dog! He is the perfect friend of man, the slave 

 of our caprices, " mechanically faithful," to use an 

 admirable phrase of Mme. de Custine, and, through 

 no fault of his own, condemned to love us. Now 

 he sees himself dispossessed, not only of our ex- 

 clusive favour, but of his accustomed place in our 

 chimney corner. Hardly has he stretched himself 

 on the rug before the fire, when the cat, apparently 

 on the best of terms with her old adversary, ap- 

 proaches silently and softly, like a skilled strate- 

 gist, and seats herself by his side, as close as she 

 can very well get to him. This done, she proceeds 

 to roll herself into a ball, then rises and stretches 

 her limbs, then turns round and round, so as to 

 toast every part of her little body, always contriv- 

 ing to disturb the dog, and compel him to insensibly 

 give place. The poor beast tucks his tail out of 

 sight, then his paws and his nose ; but finding him- 



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