He finally seated himself on a bench; he had the nonchalant attitude of a man who is at home.

Five or six doves were billing and cooing on the ledge of the roof; he could readily understand that they were talking of him, and that they were saying, "Here he is--we have been waiting for him." A beautiful Angora cat, white as snow, with delicate nose and silky hair, came, arching her back and waving her bushy tail, from out a grove, and advanced towards him.

She examined him curiously an instant, rubbed herself against the bench, and then sat coquettishly at the feet of the intruder.

He caressed her, saying: "You are as white and graceful as your mistress; you are an intelligent animal; you understand, my dear, that I come from her.

Shall I tell you a secret?
She loves Count Abel Larinski." With these words he rose and left, after thanking the portress, who would have been extremely astonished had she been aware of the reflections that had just been occupying his mind.