"I find that they will leave you in peace so long as you do not threaten their homes." Belle liked most animals, and while she had on occasion been nipped or scratched by cats and all, she had no problem with any of them. It was instinct, not any true dislike toward her she hoped. "Why should I not? My reading was rather rudely disrupted by the smell of smoke, so I thought some time outside would not go amiss."