Puss was really disappointed. It was certainly very strange, but perhaps she should have some another morning. However, she made a very good breakfast, but she was a little cross all day. Soon after breakfast the Countess came in, followed by a lapdog--a fat, spoilt, disagreeable-looking animal--and the cat took a dislike to him at first sight. And as for the dog, he almost growled out loud when the Countess stooped down to stroke the cat. “Now, Viper,” said the old lady, “be good! You know you are my own darling, that you are; but you must not quarrel with poor pussy. No fighting, you know, Viper!” Whereupon Viper struggled down out of his mistress’s arms, for she had taken him up to kiss him, and giving a short snarl, he mounted upon a stool before the fire, and sat eying his new acquaintance with such a fierce look that the poor cat really shook all over, and wished herself safe out of the Palace again. However, whenever the Countess left the room, she always called Viper away, too; so they were not left together at all the first day. After a little the cat began to get used to Viper’s cross looks, and did not mind him a great deal: and the old lady petted and made so much of her, that she thought no cat had ever been so fortunate before. [Illustration: THE COUNTESS CAME IN, FOLLOWED BY A LAPDOG.--_Page 97._] One day Viper was to dine with the cat, and Ermengarde brought in two plates this time, and to work they fell with all their might. Viper had eaten up nearly all his own dinner, and the cat was saving a beautiful _merrythought_ for her last titbit when, as ill luck would have it, the Countess was suddenly called out of the room. Instantly, with a growl that sounded like thunder in the cat’s ears, Viper darted right at the _merrythought_, crying:-- “You vile little wretch of a stray cat, do you suppose I shall allow you to come in here and rob me of my bones?” “Indeed, my lord,” said the cat, very much frightened, “I did not mean to take more than my share!” “And pray, madam,” screamed Viper, “what do you mean by that? Do you think that I have taken more than mine? Now, Mrs. Puss, just listen to me, once for all: if you give me any more of your impertinence, I’ll worry you to death in two minutes!” Poor puss! She trembled so from head to tail that she could hardly stand, but just as she was going to beg him not to be angry, the Countess came in again, and took Viper for his afternoon ride. Poor puss! She was very sad all evening, and she wished many times that she had never left her mistress’s cottage. True, she had cream for breakfast and chicken for dinner, but what was that worth, if every mouthful she ate she feared that Viper would snatch from her?