opportunity to make our escape, as she opened the door to order
the cat to be brought in. We seized the lucky moment, and,
dropping from her gown, fled with the utmost haste out at the
house door, which happened to be wide open; and I, without once
looking behind me, ran on till I discovered a little crack in the
brick wall, which I entered, and which, after many turnings and
windings, brought me to this house, where I have now continued
skulking about in its different apartments for above a month;
during which time I have not heard the least tidings of my beloved
brother Longtail. Whether, therefore, any mischief befell him as
he followed me, or whether he entered the crack with me and then
lost sight of me, I know not; but in vain have I sought him every
day since my arrival within these walls, and so anxious am I to
learn what is become of him, that I am now come forth, contrary to
my nature, to engage your compassion, and to beseech you, in
case--



At this moment, the door of my room opened, and my servant coming
hastily in, the mouse jumped from my table, and precipitately
retreated to the same hole from whence it first addressed me; and
though I have several times peeped into it, and even laid little
bits of cake to entice it back again, yet have I never been able
to see it any where since. Should either that, or any other, ever
again favour me so far with their confidence, as to instruct me
with their history, I will certainly communicate it with all
possible speed to my little readers; who I hope have been wise
enough to attend to the advice given them in the preceding pages,
although it was delivered to them by one as insignificant as a