The Cat's Eye

 

Irena Alexandria Gracey

1785-1814

Irena Alexandria was the great grandmother of Master Gracey. She was the daughter of a French nobleman and an English ambassador's daughter, who fled from the French revolution. She was wealthy and beautiful, but, given the politically incorrect nature of her parentage in eighteenth century France and England, she never truly fit into 'Society' in either nation. She was rarely accepted, and never trusted, in either land. Her only true friend and loyal companion was her black cat, Sekhment. She was also an avante-garde woman in dress, manner and interest. 

When Irena blossomed into womanhood, Irena meet Ambrose Gracey, the grandfather of Master Gracey. In due time they were married. It wasn't until when reports of a strange cat like beast was prowling the forests. It was rumored that Irena had dabbled in witchcraft. One night in 1814, the groundskeeper encounter the cat monster, in desperation he grabbed an axe and cat the beat's paw. Presenting it to Ambrose, to their shock and horror it was the hand of a woman. After that Irena latter died from an  amputated arm. Many of the townsfolk whispered in gossip that Irena and the beast were one and the same. After the funeral, Irena's cat can be seen curled next to her owner.