to defend her. It never molested
the birds which she kept; it would not take food from any hand but hers,
and would not allow any one else to caress it.

"At the death of its mistress, the poor cat was removed from her
chamber; but it made its way there the next morning, went on the bed,
sat upon her chair, slowly and mournfully paced over her toilet, and
cried most piteously, as if lamenting its poor mistress.

"After her funeral it was found stretched lifeless on her grave,
apparently having died from excess of grief."

"I think Mouser would have died just so," said Minnie, softly, "she
loves her mistress so well."

"Here is another story, my dear, if you are not too tired."

"O, no, indeed! I think I should very soon be well if you would read
all the time."

"Henry, Earl of Southampton, was long confined in the Tower of London,
as a political prisoner. He had been already some time in confinement,
when, one day, he was both delighted and surprised by receiving a visit
from a favorite cat.

"The poor creature being distracted with grief at the cruel separation
from her master, and not being able to gain access to him through the
gates of the prison, was at last sagacious enough to plan a method of
visiting him. She watched her chance, scaled the walls of the Tower, and
finally reached him by descending through the accumulated soot and smoke
of his chimney. Whether instinct guided her aright the first time, or
whether she was obliged to descend many chimneys in her eager search
for the one she loved, we cannot tell; but her delight at last in
finding him seemed abundantly to repay her for all her perils."

"How very glad her master must have been to see her!" faltered the
child, her eyes moist with emotion. "I don't see how any body can help
loving cats."

CHAPTER VII.

PUSS TAKING A JOURNEY.

Fidelle had one singular habit which I have not yet noticed. She used to
take a solitary walk every evening at about dusk. The custom began in
the following manner. For a long time Mr. and Mrs. Lee, with Minnie,
were in the habit of taking a walk at sunset, and sometimes Fidelle went
with them; but finding the frolics of the kitten fatigued the child,
causing her to run up and down in pursuit, they ordered the cat to be
kept at home.

As soon as they were out of sight, puss started off by herself, and
enjoyed it so much, that for years, except when the weather was very
stormy, the little creature might be