Presently he noticed that on the little paw that was next him the White Cat wore a bracelet containing a portrait , and he begged to be allowed to look at it . To his great surprise he found it represented an extremely handsome young man , who was so like himself that it might have been his own portrait ! The White Cat sighed as he looked at it , and seemed sadder than ever , and the Prince dared not ask any questions for fear of displeasing her ; so he began to talk about other things , and found that she was interested in all the subjects he cared for himself , and seemed to know quite well what was going on in the world . After supper they went into another room , which was fitted up as a theatre , and the cats acted and danced for their amusement , and then the White Cat said good-night to him , and the hands conducted him into a room he had not seen before , hung with tapestry worked with butterflies ' wings of every color ; there were mirrors that reached from the ceiling to the floor , and a little white bed with curtains of gauze tied up with ribbons . The Prince went to bed in silence , as he did not quite know how to begin a conversation with the hands that waited on him , and in the morning he was awakened by a noise and confusion outside of his window , and the hands came and quickly dressed him in hunting costume . When he looked out all the cats were assembled in the courtyard , some leading greyhounds , some blowing horns , for the White Cat was going out hunting . The hands led a wooden horse up to the Prince , and seemed to expect him to mount it , at which he was very indignant ; but it was no use for him to object , for he speedily found himself upon its back , and it pranced gaily off with him . The White Cat herself was riding a monkey , which climbed even up to the eagles ' nests when she had a fancy for the young eaglets . Never was there a pleasanter hunting party , and when they returned to the castle the Prince and the White Cat supped together as before , but when they had finished she offered him a crystal goblet , which must have contained a magic draught , for , as soon as he had swallowed its contents , he forgot everything , even the little dog that he was seeking for the King , and only thought how happy he was to be with the White Cat ! And so the days passed , in every kind of amusement , until the year was nearly gone . The Prince had forgotten all about meeting his brothers : he did not even know what country he belonged to ; but the White Cat knew when he ought to go back , and one day she said to him : `` Do you know that you have only three days left to look for the little dog for your father , and your brothers have found lovely ones ? '' Then the Prince suddenly recovered his memory , and cried : `` What can have made me forget such an important thing ? My whole fortune depends upon it ; and even if I could in such a short time find a dog pretty enough to gain me a kingdom , where should I find a horse who would carry me all that way in three days ? '' And he began to be very vexed . But the White Cat said to him : `` King 's son , do not trouble yourself ; I am your friend , and will make everything easy for you . You can still stay here for a day , as the good wooden horse can take you to your country in twelve hours . '' `` I thank you , beautiful Cat , '' said the Prince ; `` but what good will it do me to get back if I have not a dog to take to my father ? '' `` See here , '' answered the White Cat , holding up an acorn ; `` there is a prettier one in this than in the Dogstar ! '' `` Oh ! White Cat dear , '' said the Prince , `` how unkind you are to laugh at me now ! ''
`` Only listen , '' she said , holding the acorn XXXXX his ear .
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