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and instantly the door opened； and in came a tiny figure
covered by a long black veil。 It was conducted by two
cats wearing black mantles and carrying swords； and a
large party of cats followed； who brought in cages full of
rats and mice。
The Prince was so much astonished that he thought he
must be dreaming； but the little figure came up to him
and threw back its veil； and he saw that it was the loveliest
little white cat it is possible to imagine。 She looked
very young and very sad； and in a sweet little voice that
went straight to his heart she said to the Prince：
〃King's son； you are welcome； the Queen of the Cats is
glad to see you。〃
〃Lady Cat；〃 replied the Prince； 〃I thank you for
receiving me so kindly； but surely you are no ordinary
pussy…cat？ Indeed； the way you speak and the magnificence
of your castle prove it plainly。〃
〃King's son；〃 said the White Cat； 〃I beg you to spare
me these compliments； for I am not used to them。 But
now；〃 she added； 〃let supper be served； and let the
musicians be silent； as the Prince does not understand what
they are saying。〃
So the mysterious hands began to bring in the supper；
and first they put on the table two dishes； one containing
stewed pigeons and the other a fricassee of fat mice。 The
sight of the latter made the Prince feel as if he could not
enjoy his supper at all； but the White Cat； seeing this；
assured him that the dishes intended for him were prepared
in a separate kitchen； and he might be quite certain
that they contained neither rats nor mice； and the Prince
felt so sure that she would not deceive him that he had no
more hesitation in beginning。 Presently he noticed that
on the little paw that was next him the White Cat wore a
bracelet containing a portrait； and he begged to be allowed
to look at it。 To his great surprise he found it represented
an extremely handsome young man； who was so like himself
that it might have been his own portrait！ The White
Cat sighed as he looked at it； and seemed sadder than
ever； and the Prince dared not ask any questions for fear
of displeasing her； so he began to talk about other things；
and found that she was interested in all the subjects he
cared for himself； and seemed to know quite well what
was going on in the world。 After supper they went into
another room； which was fitted up as a theatre； and the
cats acted and danced for their amusement； and then the
White Cat said good…night to him； and the hands conducted
him into a room he had not seen before； hung with
tapestry worked with butterflies' wings of every color；
there were mirrors that reached from the ceiling to the
floor； and a little white bed with curtains of gauze tied up
with ribbons。 The Prince went to bed in silence； as he did
not quite know how to begin a conversation with the
hands that waited on him； and in the morning he was
awakened by a noise and confusion outside of his window；
and the hands came and quickly dressed him in hunting
costume。 When he looked out all the cats were assembled
in the courtyard； some leading greyhounds； some blowing
horns； for the White Cat was going out hunting。 The
hands led a wooden horse up to the Prince； and seemed
to expect him to mount it； at which he was very indignant；
but it was no use for him to object； for he speedily
found himself upon its back； and it pranced gaily off with
him。
The White Cat herself was riding a monkey； which
climbed even up to the eagles' nests when she had a fancy
for the young eaglets。 Never was there a pleasanter hunting
party； and when they returned to the castle the Prince
and the White Cat supped together as before； but when
they had finished she offered him a crystal goblet； which
must have contained a magic draught； for； as soon as he
had swallowed its contents； he forgot everything； even the
little dog that he was seeking for the King； and only
thought how happy he was to be with the White Cat！
And so the days passed； in every kind of amusement； until
the year was nearly gone。 The Prince had forgotten all
about meeting his brothers： he did not even know what
country he belonged to； but the White Cat knew when he
ought to go back； and one day she said to him：
〃Do you know that you have only three days left to
look for the little dog for your father； and your brothers
have found lovely ones？〃
Then the Prince suddenly recovered his memory； and
cried：
〃What can have made me forget such an important
thing？ My whole fortune depends upon it； and even if I
could in such a short time find a dog pretty enough to
gain me a kingdom； where should I find a horse who would
carry me all that way in three days？〃 And he began to
be very vexed。 But the White Cat said to him： 〃King's
son； do not trouble yourself； I am your friend； and will
make everything easy for you。 You can still stay here for
a day； as the good wooden horse can take you to your
country in twelve hours。〃
〃I thank you； beautiful Cat；〃 said the Prince； 〃but
what good will it do me to get back if I have not a dog to
take to my father？〃
〃See here；〃 answered the White Cat； holding up an
acorn； 〃there is a prettier one in this than in the Dogstar！〃
〃Oh！ White Cat dear；〃 said the Prince； 〃how unkind
you are to laugh at me now！〃
〃Only listen；〃 she said； holding the acorn to his ear。
And inside it he distinctly heard a tiny voice say：
〃Bow…wow！〃
The Prince was delighted； for a dog that can be shut up
in an acorn must be very small indeed。 He wanted to
take it out and look at it； but the White Cat said it would
be better not to open the acorn till he was before the
King； in case the tiny dog should be cold on the journey。
He thanked her a thousand times； and said good…by quite
sadly when the time came for him to set out。
〃The days have passed so quickly with you；〃 he said；
〃I only wish I could take you with me now。〃
But the White Cat shook her head and sighed deeply
in answer。
After all the Prince was the first to arrive at the castle
where he had agreed to meet his brothers； but they came
soon after； and stared in amazement when they saw the
wooden horse in the courtyard jumping like a hunter。
The Prince met them joyfully； and they began to tell
him all their adventures； but he managed to hide from
them what he had been doing； and even led them to think
that a turnspit dog which he had with him was the one he
was bringing for the King。 Fond as they all were of one
another； the two eldest could not help being glad to think
that their dogs certainly had a better chance。 The next
morning they started in the same chariot。 The elder
brothers carried in baskets two such tiny； fragile dogs
that they hardly dared to touch them。 As for the turnspit；
he ran after the chariot； and got so covered with mud
that one could hardly see what he was like at all。 When
they reached the palace everyone crowded round to welcome