294 THE FIRESIDE SPHINX 



ner empty of delight. We hear these persons con- 

 stantly complain, as did Ronsard to R6my Belleau, 

 that if a cat be in the room with them, she singles 

 them out to be the recipients of her attentions, 

 rubbing herself against their feet, and showing an 

 obstinate preference for their society. 



" Et toutefois ceste hideuse beste 

 Se vint coucher tout aupr^s de ma teste, 

 Cherchant le mol d'un plumeux aureiller 

 Oh je soulois i gauche sommeiller : 

 Car volontiers k gauche je sommeille 

 Jusqu'au matin que le coq me reveille." 



This is one of the traits of the impenetrable cat 

 nature to which we hold no key. The dog is 

 guided by a kindly instinct to the man or woman 

 whose heart is open to his advances. The cat often 

 leaves the friend who courts her, to honour, or to 

 harass, the unfortunate mortal who shudders at her 

 unwelcome caresses. There is an impish perversity 

 about the deed which recalls the snares of witch- 

 craft. So, too, does her uncanny habit of looking 

 with fixed gaze over one's shoulder at a dark corner 

 of the room, and turning her head slightly from 

 time to time, as her eyes follow the movements of 

 the unseen object in the shadows. When I am 

 alone of a winter's night, and oppressed by the 

 vague fear of life and death which haunt the soul 

 in moments of subjection, I find this steadfast stare 



