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yourself into a lion; or elephant; and the like。〃
〃That is true;〃 answered the ogre very briskly; 〃and
to convince you; you shall see me now become a lion。〃
Puss was so sadly terrified at the sight of a lion so near
him that he immediately got into the gutter; not without
abundance of trouble and danger; because of his boots;
which were of no use at all to him in walking upon the
tiles。 A little while after; when Puss saw that the ogre
had resumed his natural form; he came down; and owned
he had been very much frightened。
〃I have been; moreover; informed;〃 said the Cat; 〃but
I know not how to believe it; that you have also the
power to take on you the shape of the smallest animals;
for example; to change yourself into a rat or a mouse; but
I must own to you I take this to be impossible。〃
〃Impossible!〃 cried the ogre; 〃you shall see that
presently。 〃
And at the same time he changed himself into a mouse;
and began to run about the floor。 Puss no sooner perceived
this but he fell upon him and ate him up。
Meanwhile the King; who saw; as he passed; this fine
castle of the ogre's; had a mind to go into it。 Puss; who
heard the noise of his Majesty's coach running over the
draw…bridge; ran out; and said to the King:
〃Your Majesty is welcome to this castle of my Lord
Marquis of Carabas。〃
〃What! my Lord Marquis;〃 cried the King; 〃and does
this castle also belong to you? There can be nothing finer
than this court and all the stately buildings which surround
it; let us go into it; if you please。〃
The Marquis gave his hand to the Princess; and
followed the King; who went first。 They passed into a
spacious hall; where they found a magnificent collation;
which the ogre had prepared for his friends; who were
that very day to visit him; but dared not to enter; knowing
the King was there。 His Majesty was perfectly
charmed with the good qualities of my Lord Marquis of
Carabas; as was his daughter; who had fallen violently in
love with him; and; seeing the vast estate he possessed;
said to him; after having drunk five or six glasses:
〃It will be owing to yourself only; my Lord Marquis;
if you are not my son…in…law。〃
The Marquis; making several low bows; accepted the
honor which his Majesty conferred upon him; and forthwith;
that very same day; married the Princess。
Puss became a great lord; and never ran after mice any
more but only for his diversion。'1'
'1' Charles Perrault。