in fact.

"Well, I happened to make an acquaintance, a fine young man who was
working in a white-goods house. That went on for about three months on a
footing of mere friendship. But you know one is liable to weaken, it may
happen to any one, and, besides, I had really begun to love him. He
was so nice, so nice, and so good. He wanted us to live together, for
economy's sake. I finally allowed him to come and see me one evening. I
had not made up my mind to anything definite; oh, no! But I was pleased
at the idea that we should spend an hour together.

"At first he behaved very well, said nice things to me that made my
heart go pit-a-pat. And then he kissed me, madame, kissed me as one does
when they love. I remained motionless, my eyes closed, in a paroxysm
of happiness. But, suddenly, I felt him start violently and he gave a
scream, a scream that I shall never forget. I opened my eyes and saw
that Mouton had sprung at his face and was tearing the skin with his
claws as if it had been a linen rag. And the blood was streaming down
like rain, madame.

"I tried to take the cat away, but he held on tight, scratching all the
time; and he bit me, he was so crazy. I finally got him and threw him
out of the window, which was open, for it was summer.

"When I began to bathe my poor friend's face, I noticed that his eyes
were destroyed, both his eyes!

"He had to go to the hospital. He died of grief at the end of a year. I
wanted to keep him with me and provide for him, but he would not agree
to it. One would have supposed that he hated me after the occurrence.

"As for Mouton, his back was broken by the fall, The janitor picked up
his body. I had him stuffed, for in spite of all I was fond of him. If
he acted as he did it was because he loved me, was it not?"

The old woman was silent and began to stroke the lifeless animal whose
body trembled on its iron framework.

Emma, with sorrowful heart, had forgotten about the predicted death--or,
at least, she did not allude to it again, and she left, giving the woman
five francs.

As her husband was to return the following day, I did not go to the
house for several days. When I did go I was surprised at not seeing
Misti. I asked where he was.

She blushed and replied:

"I gave him away. I was uneasy."

I was astonished.

"Uneasy? Uneasy? What about?"

She gave me a long kiss and said in a low tone:

"I was uneasy about your eyes, my dear."

Misti appeared in. G