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the cat - World eBook Library

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THE CAT^<br />

Eponine<br />

Eponine is a small <strong>cat</strong>, very deli<strong>cat</strong>ely made.<br />

Her eyes have <strong>the</strong> oblique slant of <strong>the</strong> Chinese, and<br />

are sea-green like <strong>the</strong> eyes of Pallas A<strong>the</strong>ne; her<br />

little velvety nose looks like a fine truffle of Peri-<br />

gord; her physiognomy is charmingly expressive;<br />

her superb fur is of a deep and lustrous black.<br />

Never was <strong>cat</strong> more nervous, sensitive and sympa-<br />

<strong>the</strong>tic. Never was <strong>cat</strong> more charged with elec-<br />

tricity. If you stroke her smooth back on a winter<br />

night, tiny blue sparks flash beneath your hand.<br />

She is <strong>the</strong> soul of hospitality, and delights to re-<br />

ceive my visitors, leading <strong>the</strong> way into <strong>the</strong> salon,<br />

and entertaining <strong>the</strong>m as best she can with polite<br />

little sounds, intended for conversation.<br />

" Do not<br />

be impatient," she tries to say, " Monsieur is com-<br />

ing down. Look at <strong>the</strong> pictures, or, if I amuse<br />

you, talk to me." When I enter, she retires dis-<br />

creetly to an armchair, or a corner of <strong>the</strong> piano,<br />

and listens to <strong>the</strong> conversation without interrupting<br />

it, as one accustomed from kittenhood to good<br />

society.<br />

At breakfast and at dinner Eponine sits by my<br />

side, being permitted, because she is so small, to<br />

rest her fore-paws on <strong>the</strong> extreme edge of <strong>the</strong> table.<br />

She has her own plate and tumbler, and she waits<br />

95

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