Faribole

"Faribole," said the Countess severely, "your charge is grave; can you bring any proof to support it?"

The Story of a Cat ��mile de La B��dolli��re 1847

"Faribole," said the steward to his protégé, several days afterward, "It is well to let you know the ways of the house.

The Story of a Cat ��mile de La B��dolli��re 1847

The response to this question was long coming; Faribole turned pale, his legs bent under him; finally he bowed his head, letting his arms droop at his sides, as if he had sunk under the weight of his destiny, and murmured, in a stifled voice: --

The Story of a Cat ��mile de La B��dolli��re 1847

"Moumouth!" stammered Faribole, starting at the name as if he had been stung by a wasp.

The Story of a Cat ��mile de La B��dolli��re 1847

All the forenoon and afternoon Faribole was plunged in the darkest despondency, and when the fatal hour sounded, he was assailed by the irresolutions of the previous day.

The Story of a Cat ��mile de La B��dolli��re 1847

Introduced into the parlor, Faribole did not wait to be interrogated.

The Story of a Cat ��mile de La B��dolli��re 1847

As soon as Madame de la Grenouillère learned how Moumouth had been recovered, she ordered young Faribole to be brought before her.

The Story of a Cat ��mile de La B��dolli��re 1847

Faribole, received again into the service of Madame de la Grenouillère, conducted himself so well that his transient error was forgotten.

The Story of a Cat ��mile de La B��dolli��re 1847

[Illustration: "Only one is kept; the rest are tossed into the River."] "But Moumouth is large, Moumouth is fully grown," said Faribole in a plaintive tone; "and then, you do not know, I love him."

The Story of a Cat ��mile de La B��dolli��re 1847

The eyes of Faribole sparkled with pleasure; he bowed respectfully before the steward, and said with warmth: --

The Story of a Cat ��mile de La B��dolli��re 1847