passed through
and admired were his. The cat took care to learn every particular about
the Ogre, and what he could do, and then asked to speak with him,
saying, as he entered the room in which he was, that he could not pass
so near his castle without doing himself the honour to enquire for his
health.

The Ogre received him as civilly as an Ogre could do, and desired him to
be seated.

"I have been informed," said the cat, "that you have the gift of
changing yourself into all sorts of animals, into a lion, or an
elephant, for example."

"It is very true," replied the Ogre somewhat sternly; "and to convince
you, I will directly take the form of a lion."

The cat was so much terrified at finding himself so near a lion, that he
sprang from him, and climbed to the roof of the house; but not without
much difficulty, as his boots were not very fit to walk upon the tiles.

Some minutes after, the cat perceiving that the Ogre had quitted the
form of a lion, ventured to come down from the tiles, and owned that he
had been a good deal frightened.

"I have been further informed," continued the cat, "but I know not how
to believe it, that you have the power of taking the form of the
smallest animals also; for example, of changing yourself to a rat or a
mouse; I confess I should think this must be impossible."

"Impossible! you shall see;" and at the same instant he changed himself
into a mouse, and began to frisk about the room.

The cat no sooner set his eyes upon the Ogre in this form, than he
sprang upon him, and devoured him in an instant.

In the meantime the king, admiring, as he came near it, the magnificent
castle of the Ogre, ordered his attendant to drive up to the gates, as
he wished to take a nearer view of it. The cat, hearing the noise of the
carriage on the drawbridge, immediately came out, saying, "Your majesty
is welcome to the castle of my lord Marquis of Carabas."

"And is this splendid castle your's also, my lord Marquis of Carabas? I
never saw anything more stately than the building, or more beautiful
than the park and pleasure-grounds around it; no doubt, the castle is
no less magnificent within than without; pray, my lord Marquis, indulge
me with a sight of it."

The Marquis gave his hand to the young princess as she alighted, and
followed the king, who went before; they entered a spacious hall, where
they found a splendid collation which the Ogre had prepared for some
friends he had expected th