"How is it in your house, then?" "I have it from a little boy named Faribole; he got this cat for me, which I have long desired to have, on account of his supernatural shape and appearance, to figure in my cabalistic conjurations. This is the truth, the whole truth. I beg of you that your mistress will not disturb me." [Illustration: "Do not ruin me, I conjure you!"] "Madame the Countess will act as she thinks proper," responded Mother Michel, haughtily; and she vanished with her cat. She made but one step from the house of Madame Bradamor to that of Madame de la Grenouillere; one would have said that Mother Michel had on the seven-league boots of little Tom Thumb. She did not linger in the parlor, when she arrived out of breath and unable to speak a word, but carried Moumouth straight to the Countess. On recognizing the animal, the Countess gave so loud a cry of joy that it was heard as far as the Place de la Carrousel. Lustucru assisted at this touching scene. At the sight of the cat he was so dumbfounded that his reason wavered for a moment. He imagined that the cat, so many times saved, was a fantastic being, capable of speaking, like the beasts in the fairy-tales, and he said to himself with a shiver: "I am lost! Moumouth is going to denounce me!" [Illustration: Lustucru assisted at this touching Scene.] CHAPTER IX. WHICH IS SATISFACTORY TO EVERYBODY BUT THE GUILTY. As soon as Madame de la Grenouillere learned how Moumouth had been recovered, she ordered young Faribole to be brought before her. "I'll go and look him up," said Father Lustucru, with alacrity. He was very anxious to warn his accomplice, and sought an excuse to steal off. "No, remain! You have admitted him to the mansion, you shall see him turned away, and will learn to bestow your confidence more wisely in future." Lustucru remained, and, recovering from his first stupor, resolved to boldly deny everything, if Faribole should dare to accuse him. Introduced into the parlor, Faribole did not wait to be interrogated. [Illustration: Faribole Explains.] "Madame the Countess," said he, "the presence of your cat tells me why you have called me; but I am less guilty than I appear; permit me to explain." "It is useless," replied Madame de la Grenouillere; "your justification is impossible." The steward, believing it best to play a bold game, said with irony:-- "I am curious to know what unlikely story this rogue has to tell," and in accenting these words slowly he gave Faribole a glance which signified: "If you accuse me, woe to you!'" Without allowing himself to be confused, Faribole commenced in these terms:--