of promenade, a broad balcony that ran along the entire front of the
building, or rather one-half of the balcony, since it was divided into two
parts (please note this carefully) by a fan of ironwork, over which,
however, one could easily climb.

"I had been living there for about two months when, one night in July on
returning to my rooms, I saw with a good deal of surprise a light shining
through the windows of the other apartment on the same floor, which I had
supposed to be uninhabited. The effect of this light was extraordinary. It
lit up with a pale, yet perfectly distinct, reflection, parts of the
balcony, the street below, and a bit of the neighboring fields.

"I thought to myself, 'Aha! I have a neighbor."

"The idea indeed was not altogether agreeable, for I had been rather proud
of my exclusive proprietorship. On reaching my bedroom I passed
noiselessly out upon the balcony, but already the light had been
extinguished. So I went back into my room, and sat down to read for an
hour or two. From time to time I seemed to hear about me, as though within
the walls, light footsteps; but after finishing my book I went to bed, and
speedily fell asleep.

"About midnight I suddenly awoke with a curious feeling that something was
standing beside me. I raised myself in bed, lit a candle, and this is what
I saw. In the middle of the room stood an immense cat gazing upon me with
phosphorescent eyes, and with its back slightly arched. It was a
magnificent Angora, with long fur and a fluffy tail, and of a remarkable
color--exactly like that of the yellow silk that one sees in cocoons--so
that, as the light gleamed upon its coat, the animal seemed to be made of
gold.

"It slowly moved toward me on its velvety paws, softly rubbing its sinuous
body against my legs. I leaned over to stroke it, and it permitted my
caress, purring, and finally leaping upon my knees. I noticed then that it
was a female cat, quite young, and that she seemed disposed to permit me
to pet her as long as ever I would. Finally, however, I put her down upon
the floor, and tried to induce her to leave the room; but she leaped away
from me and hid herself somewhere among the furniture, though as soon as I
had blown out my candle, she jumped upon my bed. Being sleepy, however, I
didn't molest her, but dropped off into a doze, and the next morning when
I awoke in broad daylight I could find no sign of the animal at all.

"Truly, the human brain is a very