they had finished their simple meal, Blondine leaned over towards
her little companion, and said, caressingly:

"Thanks, pretty puss, for the breakfast you have given me. Now, can you
conduct me to my papa, who is certainly in despair because of my
absence?"

Pussy, whom Blondine named Beau-Minon, shook her head and mewed
plaintively.

"Ah! you understand me, Beau-Minon," said Blondine. "I entreat you to
have pity upon me and lead me to some house before I perish with hunger,
cold and terror in this vast forest!"

Beau-Minon looked at the princess fixedly and made a sign with her
little graceful white head which seemed to say, "I understand you." She
rose, advanced a few steps and paused to see if Blondine followed her.

"I am here, Beau-Minon; I am following you gladly," said Blondine; "but
how can we pass through these bushy thickets? I see no path."

Beau-Minon made no reply but sprang lightly into the thicket which
opened of itself to allow Blondine and Beau-Minon to pass, and then
closed up immediately.

Blondine walked on for about half an hour. As she advanced, the forest
became lighter, the grass was finer and the flowers more abundant. She
saw many pretty birds singing melodiously and graceful squirrels,
bounding along the branches of the trees.

Blondine, who had no doubt that she was about to leave the forest and
see her dear father again, was enchanted with all that she saw; she
wished to pause and gather the lovely wild flowers; but Beau-Minon
advanced steadily and mewed plaintively whenever Blondine relaxed her
speed.

In about an hour Blondine perceived an elegant castle. Beau-Minon led
her to the gilded grating. However, Blondine did not know how to enter.
There was no bell and the gate was closed. Beau-Minon had disappeared
and Blondine was once more alone.

BONNE-BICHE

Beau-Minon had entered by a little passage, which seemed made expressly
for him and had probably given notice to some one at the castle, as the
gate opened without Blondine having called.

She entered the court-yard but saw no one.

The door of the castle opened of itself. Blondine entered the vestibule
which was of rare white marble. All the doors of the castle now opened
like the first and the princess passed through a suite of beautiful
rooms.

At last, in the back part of a charming salon, furnished with blue and
gold, she perceived a white hind, lying upon a bed of fine and fragrant
grasses. Beau-Minon s