ACT I.

SCENE.--_Discovers_ Mother Michel _and_ Countess. Mother Michel _is serving_ Countess, _sitting before a mirror, admiring her hair_.

_Duo_.--_Mother Michel_ and _Countess_.

Tune--"For a maid there is no denying." Cavatina (Zerlina), _Fra Diavolo_. Auber.

_Countess_. Now, Mother Michel, how does my hair thus suit you?

_Michel_. Beautiful, beautiful, Countess. Of course just like you.

_Countess_ } _together_ { Oh no, oh no; oh no, no, _etc._

_Michel_ } _together_ { Oh yes, oh yes; oh yes, yes, yes, _etc._

_Countess_ (_at end of song_). Ah, Mother Michel, I fear you are not sincere. To be sure, my hair is a miracle of handiwork, but beautiful!--Ah, Michel!

_Michel_. Nay, your grace, my words are but too insignificant to express my admiration.

_Countess_. Well, well, never mind. Listening to flattery may strengthen my mind for hearing the truth; therefore I will let your speeches pass. But have you seen Moumouth this morning?

_Michel_. Ah, yes, madame. Chancing but now to pass the cellar stair, I beheld that sagacious animal watching, with intensest interest and quivering tail, a rat hole.

_Countess_ (_rapturously_). Angelic creature!

_Michel_. And I disturbed him not, only called Father Lustucru's attention to him.

_Countess_. Ah, Michel, that is a great grief to me. Moumouth objects to Father Lustucru, my steward, who has always been so kind to him.

_Michel_. Yes, alas! never did I see one of your pets so prejudiced against one of your household.

_Countess_. Do not, I pray, refer to my other pets. And yet there is a consolation in speaking of their charms. My beautiful green parrot--

_Michel_ (_sadly_). A victim to cold parsnips.

_Countess_ (_weeping_). I can never forget how in his dying agonies he looked reproachfully in my face, and with his usual quickness at catching up words, cried, "To the mischief with your cold parsnips!" I can never forget. [_Overcome._]

_Michel_. Yes, yes, Pompo would always say naughty words. And then there was Ponto, the ape--

_Countess_. Forbear! forbear! My anguish at finding him cold and drowned overcomes my heart. [_Weeps._]

_Michel_. Cheer up, madame; Moumouth still lives, and is happy.

_Countess_. My constant fear is that he'll die or be killed.

_Michel_. Never fear. How well I remember the day we found him, and your noble conduct at that time!

_Countess_. Flattery again, Michel.

_Michel_ (_warmly_). I can not flatter when I speak of that noble act. I have immortalized it in verse. Will you listen if I repeat it?

_Countess_. Proceed. For Moumouth's sake I will listen.

_Solo_.--_Michel_.

Tune--"Vagabond." James T. Molloy. (From second verse.)

Dirty, ragged, forlorn, Saucepan attached to his tail, Driven by many a stone, He loudly his fate did bewail. Cruelly and roughly The boys around him crowd, Shouting and laughing, With their voices loud. Pelted with mud, The wretched creature stood Appealing for help From the boys rude. Oh, how can one, Boasting of any heart, In such cruel sport Ever take a part? But mercy kind Moved you to cry, "Catch me you Cat If you can; all may try." Oh, what a chase Therewith begun! Every boy broke into a run; They chased him o'er garden-wall, By alley, store, and stall. They snatch him, pull him, grab him, nab him. [_Very fast._] Oh, then to your grace They brought him for francs five, Bearing him proudly aloft, A great deal more dead than alive.

_Countess_ (_who has listened eagerly_). Bravo! bravo! Michel; it is a beautiful account of my Cat's rescue. I shall have it printed in gold letters on glazed paper.

_Michel_. Oh, thanks. Now you flatter _me_. But that reminds me. Father Lustucru gave me a letter for you this morning, which I forgot to deliver. [_Presents letter on a salver._]

_Countess_. A letter? Ah! 'tis from my sister. [_She reads._] Oh, Heaven! my sister is ill--has broken her leg--and writes to me to come to her. Michel, I faint. [_She faints._]

_Michel_ (_fanning violently_). Madame, madame, for your sister's sake, revive. [_Applies salts._]

_Countess_ (_recovering_). Now I am better; but, oh, Michel, to be thus torn from my home and my Cat, to rush to the suffering, is indeed sad.

_Michel_. I have no words with which to express my sympathy.

_Countess_. I must go immediately. Go, Michel, bring my bonnet and shawl, and order the carriage. [_Exit_ Michel _and returns, bringing shawl and bonnet_.] And now, Michel, go bring Moumouth, my Cat, my charmer; let me once more embrace him.

_Michel_. Ah, madame, if you could spare him this sad parting! Think of his delicate nerves, his sensitive heart, and spare him this hour of agony. Believe me, he shall be well attended to for your sake, my loved mistress.

[_They both weep violently._]

_Countess_. Yes, yes, I see the wisdom of this sacrifice, dear Michel. Moumouth shall not be broken-hearted by an anguished parting. Only care for him tenderly. And now, farewell.

_Michel_ (_overcome_). Farewell, most beloved mistress, most beautiful Countess--

_Countess_. Hush; you will disturb Moumouth's watch of the rat hole, and bring him to witness this sad farewell. [_Softly._]

_Duo_.--_Countess_ and _Michel_.

Tune--"Silence."

Silence, silence--softly speak and sigh. Silence, silence--softly speak and sigh. _There_ doth our Moumouth watching lie; _There_ (_pointing the other way_) must we go without good-by. Silence, silence--disturb him not, I pray. Softly tread, softly tread, with footsteps soft and low. [_Repeat._] Hush! hush! [_Repeat._]

END OF ACT I.