The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories

A ginger cat who refers to himself as “Figaro” details his finest features and accomplishments. He’s particularly proud of his leather cavalry boots. He visits with his master, who calls him “Puss,” and they eat dinner together. Puss recounts how he once brought good fortune to them both. Sometimes Puss and his master would perform on the streets for money. One day the man announces that he’s fallen in love with a privileged lady who sits at her window at dusk and looks at the world. All the rest of the time she’s shut away with her guardian. The man becomes obsessed and begins attending church every Sunday to see her. Puss decides to help his master sleep with her so he can get her out of his system and return to normal. He learns from the hothouse cat that the lady is married to a bitter, elderly man, and that the guardian is intensely protective of her. He arranges to carry a letter to the lady from his master, which the lady receives with great emotion. Puss and the house tabby cat discuss their romance. The master plays outside the woman’s window while Puss goes to her and tells her to watch for him.