hoped to make a future profit out of his purchase, for the city was growing in that direction; and, as a matter of fact, I believe that at the present time the house is included within the city limits.  When I took up my quarters there, however, the mansion stood alone on the verge of the open country, at the end of a straggling street on which a few stray houses produced at dusk the impression of a jaw from which most of the teeth have fallen out.

“I leased one-half of the first floor, an apartment of four rooms.  For my bedroom and my study I took the two that fronted on the street; in the third room I set up some shelves for my wardrobe, and the other room I left empty.  This made a very comfortable lodging for me, and I had, for a sort of promenade, a broad balcony that ran along the entire front of the building, or rather one-half of the balcony, since it was divided into two parts (please note this carefully) by a fan of ironwork, over which, however, one could easily climb.

“I had been living there for about two months when, one night in July on returning to my rooms, I saw with a good deal of surprise a light shining through the windows of the other apartment on the same floor, which I had supposed to be uninhabited.  The effect of this light was extraordinary.  It lit up with a pale, yet perfectly distinct, reflection, parts of the balcony, the street below, and a bit of the neighboring fields.

“I thought to myself, ’Aha!  I have a neighbor.”

“The idea indeed was not altogether agreeable, for I had been rather proud of my exclusive proprietorship.  On reaching my bedroom I passed noiselessly out upon the balcony, but already the light had been extinguished.  So I went back into my room, and sat down to read for an hour or two.  From time to time I seemed to hear about me, as though within the walls, light footsteps; but after finishing my book I went to bed, and speedily fell asleep.

“About midnight I suddenly awoke with a curious feeling that something was standing beside me.  I raised myself in bed, lit a candle, and this is what I saw.  In the middle of the room stood an immense cat gazing upon me with phosphorescent eyes, and with its back slightly arched.  It was a magnificent Angora, with long fur and a fluffy tail, and of a remarkable color—­exactly like that of the yellow silk that one sees in cocoons—­so that, as the light gleamed upon its coat, the animal seemed to be made of gold.

“It slowly moved toward me on its velvety paws, softly rubbing its sinuous body against my legs.  I leaned over to stroke it, and it permitted my caress, purring, and finally leaping upon my knees.  I noticed then that it was a female cat, quite young, and that she seemed disposed to permit me to pet her as long as ever I would.  Finally, however, I put her down upon the floor, and tried to induce her to leave the room; but she leaped away from me and hid herself somewhere among the furniture, though as soon as I had blown out my candle, she jumped upon my bed.  Being sleepy, however, I didn’t molest her, but dropped off into a doze, and the next morning when I awoke in broad daylight I could find no sign of the animal at all.