birds, and this annoying little animal, I beg to inform you, is exceedingly troublesome."
"Wheugh!" said the prime Minister of Reisenburg, and the troublesome lory flew to his shoulder. "I am glad to see that you like birds, Sir," said Beckendorff to Vivian; for our hero, good-naturedly humouring the tastes of his host, was impartially dividing the luxuries of a peach among a crowd of gaudy and greedy little sparrows. "You shall see my favourites," continued Beckendorff, and tapping rather loudly on the table, he held out the forefinger of each hand. The two bullfinches who were still singing on the shoulder of the Prince, recognized the signal, and immediately hastened to their perch.
"My dear!" trilled out one little songster; and it raised its speaking eyes to its delighted master.
"My love!" warbled the other, marking its affection by looks equally personal.
These monosyllables were repeated fifty times: at each one Beckendorff, with sparkling eyes, and a countenance radiant with delight, tri-
