The Nameless Castle

ow. It was quite an ethnographic, so to speak, collection of cats; a panther-like French pussy from Dund, a Caucasian with long pointed ears, one from China with wav

rmed eyebrows, she might have served as a model for a saint, had not the roguish smile about the corners of her red lips betrayed an earthly origin. The sparkling d

for girls of her age; at the same time, there was about her attire a peculiar neglig

a pack of cards and three heaps of money-one of gold, one of silver, the third of copper. On a low, three-legged table was a something shaped like an organ, with a long row of metal and wooden pipes. Near the window stood a drawing-table, on which were sheets of drawing-board, and glasses containing p

The cats were Hitz, Mitz, Pani, and Miura. They were introduced to the two pugs, Phryxus and Helle. Then the little maid fetched a porcelain basin, and with a sponge washed ea

st,-that their jabots might not get soiled with milk,-a

em had patiently to submit when the sparrow helped himself from whichever cup he chose. The brea

o put on, or to help her attire herself. When her toilet was completed, a bell outside rang once, whereupon she donned her hat and tied over her face a heavy lace veil that effectually concealed her features. After a few minutes the bell rang a second time, and the sound of wheels in the courtyard was heard. Then thre

hanced to meet did not salute, for they knew that the occupants of the carriage from the Nameless Castle did not wish to be spoken to; and any of the villagers who were standing idly at their doors stepped inside until they had passed; no inquisitive woman face peered after them. And thus the carriage passed on its way, as if it had been invisibl

ot of one of the trees, and pale-blue forget-me-nots grew along the path. Blue was the little maid's favorite color; but she was not permitted

iding over the dewy grass; and sometimes she walked so slowly, so wearily, as if a

ain in the carriage, which returned to the Nam

ssics. They were his own favorites; he could not give her any others. She had not yet seen or heard of romances, and she was still too young to be

rned. But in order that she might enjoy listening to music, a hand-organ had

herself at the card-table, and played l'hombre, or tarok, with two imaginary

a large table was a plate. The maid took her place at the head; the man seated himself at the foot. They conversed during the meal. The maid talked about her cats and

ade the coffee, after which he read the papers, and dictated his comments and criticism

or her pets, changed her dolls' toilets, counted her gains or losses at cards, colored with her paints a few of the illustrations in the magazines, looked thro

ay, from spring until autum

her lounge which stood near the door. She knew very well that the some one she called Ludwig slept every night on the

the pugs never barked at the master of

awake were in vain. Her eyelids closed the moment her head touched the pillow. Then she tried to waken early, in order to wish him good mornin

ber was so light that he woke at the slightest noise. Then, too, he slep