Now not far from the music master 's house there dwelt a lady who possessed a most lovely little pussy cat called Koma . She was such a little dear altogether , and blinked her eyes so daintily , and ate her supper so tidily , and when she had finished she licked her pink nose so delicately with her little tongue , that her mistress was never tired of saying , ` Koma , Koma , what should I do without you ? ' Well , it happened one day that these two , when out for an evening stroll , met under a cherry tree , and in one moment fell madly in love with each other . Gon had long felt that it was time for him to find a wife , for all the ladies in the neighbourhood paid him so much attention that it made him quite shy ; but he was not easy to please , and did not care about any of them . Now , before he had time to think , Cupid had entangled him in his net , and he was filled with love towards Koma . She fully returned his passion , but , like a woman , she saw the difficulties in the way , and consulted sadly with Gon as to the means of overcoming them . Gon entreated his master to set matters right by buying Koma , but her mistress would not part from her . Then the music master was asked to sell Gon to the lady , but he declined to listen to any such suggestion , so everything remained as before . At length the love of the couple grew to such a pitch that they determined to please themselves , and to seek their fortunes together . So one moonlight night they stole away , and ventured out into an unknown world . All day long they marched bravely on through the sunshine , till they had left their homes far behind them , and towards evening they found themselves in a large park . The wanderers by this time were very hot and tired , and the grass looked very soft and inviting , and the trees cast cool deep shadows , when suddenly an ogre appeared in this Paradise , in the shape of a big , big dog ! He came springing towards them showing all his teeth , and Koma shrieked , and rushed up a cherry tree . Gon , however , stood his ground boldly , and prepared to give battle , for he felt that Koma 's eyes were upon him , and that he must not run away . But , alas ! his courage would have availed him nothing had his enemy once touched him , for he was large and powerful , and very fierce . From her perch in the tree Koma saw it all , and screamed with all her might , hoping that some one would hear , and come to help . Luckily a servant of the princess to whom the park belonged was walking by , and he drove off the dog , and picking up the trembling Gon in his arms , carried him to his mistress . So poor little Koma was left alone , while Gon was borne away full of trouble , not in the least knowing what to do . Even the attention paid him by the princess , who was delighted with his beauty and pretty ways , did not console him , but there was no use in fighting against fate , and he could only wait and see what would turn up .
The princess , Gon 's new mistress , was so good and kind that everybody loved her , and she would have led a happy life , had it not been XXXXX a serpent who had fallen in love with her , and was constantly annoying her by his presence .
At before for from in like of upon with without