He travelled on, keeping to one road, until on a certain night, during
a storm of thunder and rain, he lost his way, and after some wandering
arrived at a most superb castle where nobody was to be seen but about
a dozen hands all holding torches. Other hands pushed him forwards,
and guided him through one apartment after another, all so rich in
precious stones and beautiful paintings, that it was like enchantment.
After passing through sixty rooms, the hands stopped him, and here the
wet garments of the Prince were taken away, and he was clad in raiment
of the most exquisite description. The hands then conducted him into
a banqueting hall, where entered a little figure, not two feet high,
covered with a long black crepe veil, followed by a great procession
of cats.
The Prince was too much astonished to move. The little figure
approached him, raising the veil, and he saw the most beautiful White
Cat he had ever beheld.
Addressing the Prince she said:
"King's son! welcome! my Feline Majesty sees you with pleasure!"
"Madame Cat," replied the Prince, "it is very good of you to receive
me thus, but you are not an ordinary cat; being able to speak, and
possessing this superb castle, are proof of that.
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