ceased to boil as the fire got low, and the silence continued unbroken; but at last a slow, heavy step was heard approaching from without, and presently the door opened to admit an old man, who looked half peasant, half gentleman’s servant.  The black cat immediately quitted his place by the fire and went to meet him; rubbing himself against the newcomer’s legs, arching his back and purring loudly; testifying his joy in every way possible to him.

“Well, well, Beelzebub,” said the old man, bending down and stroking him affectionately, “are you really so glad to see me?  Yes, I know you are, and it pleases me, old fellow, so it does.  We are so lonely here, my poor young master and I, that even the welcome of a dumb beast is not to be despised.  They do say that you have no soul, Beelzebub, but you certainly do love us, and understand most times what we say to you too.”  These greetings exchanged, Beelzebub led the way back to the fire, and then with beseeching eyes, looking alternately from the face of his friend to the pot-au-feu, seemed mutely begging for his share of its contents.  Poor Beelzebub was growing so old that he could no longer catch as many rats and mice as his appetite craved, and he was evidently very hungry.

Pierre, that was the old servant’s name, threw more wood on the smouldering fire, and then sat down on a settle in the chimney corner, inviting his companion—­who had to wait still for his supper as patiently as he might—­to take a seat beside him.  The firelight shone full upon the old man’s honest, weather-beaten face, the few scattered locks of snow-white hair escaping from under his dark blue woollen cap, his thick, black eyebrows and deep wrinkles.  He had the usual characteristics of the Basque race; a long face, hooked nose, and dark, gipsy-like complexion.  He wore a sort of livery, which was so old and threadbare that it would be impossible to make out its original colour, and his stiff, soldier-like carriage and movements proclaimed that he had at some time in his life served in a military capacity.  “The young master is late to-night,” he muttered to himself, as the daylight faded.  “What possible pleasure can he find in these long, solitary rambles over the dunes?  It is true though that it is so dreary here, in this lonely, dismal house, that any other place is preferable.”

At this moment a joyous barking was heard without, the old pony in the stable stamped and whinnied, and the cat jumped down from his place beside Pierre and trotted off towards the door with great alacrity.  In an instant the latch was lifted, and the old servant rose, taking off his woollen cap respectfully, as his master came into the kitchen.  He was preceded by the poor old dog, trying to jump up on him, but falling back every time without being able to reach his face, and Beelzebub seemed to welcome them both—­showing no evidence of the antipathy usually existing between the feline and canine races; on the contrary, receiving Miraut with marks of affection which were fully reciprocated.