an elegant dressing-table, and combed his hair so very gently that he scarcely felt their touch.  They held before him a beautiful basin, filled with perfumes, for him to wash his face and hands, and afterwards took off the wrapping-gown and dressed him in a suit of clothes of still greater splendour.  When his dress was complete, they conducted him to an apartment he had not yet seen, and which also was magnificently furnished.  There was in it a table spread for a repast, and everything upon it was of the purest gold adorned with jewels.  The prince observed there were two covers set, and was wondering who was to be his companion, when his attention was suddenly caught by a small figure not a foot high, which just then entered the room, and advanced towards him.  It had on a long black veil, and was supported by two cats dressed in mourning, and with swords by their sides:  they were followed by a numerous retinue of cats, some carrying cages full of rats and others mousetraps full of mice.

The prince was at a loss what to think.  The little figure now approached, and throwing aside her veil, he beheld a most beautiful white cat.  She seemed young and melancholy, and addressing herself to the prince, she said, “Young prince, you are welcome; your presence affords me the greatest pleasure.”  “Madam,” replied the prince, “I would fain thank you for your generosity, nor can I help observing that you must be an extraordinary creature to possess with your present form the gift of speech and the magnificent palace I have seen.”  “All this is very true,” answered the beautiful cat, “but, prince, I am not fond of talking, and least of all do I like compliments; let us therefore sit down to supper.”  The trunkless hands then placed the dishes on the table, and the prince and white cat seated themselves.  The first dish was a pie made of young pigeons, and the next was a fricassee of the fattest mice.  The view of the one made the prince almost afraid to taste the other till the white cat, who guessed his thoughts, assured him that there were certain dishes at table in which there was not a morsel of either rat or mouse, which had been dressed on purpose for him.  Accordingly he ate heartily of such as she recommended.  When supper was over, the prince perceived that the white cat had a portrait set in gold hanging to one of her feet.  He begged her permission to look at it; when, to his astonishment, he saw the portrait of a handsome young man, that exactly resembled himself!  He thought there was something very extraordinary in all this:  yet, as the white cat sighed and looked very sorrowful, he did not venture to ask any questions.  He conversed with her on different subjects, and found her extremely well versed in every thing that was passing in the world.  When night was far advanced, the white cat wished him a good night, and he was conducted by the hands to his bedchamber, which was different still from any thing he had seen in the palace, being hung with the wings of butterflies,