ARRIVAL OF A STRANGER. 217 



strange cage, and was somewhat uncertain of 

 her reception, the crest laid flat down, her very- 

 head seemed to shrink; she stepped in at the 

 door, excited, for it might be peace and it might 

 be war ; the feathers rose and fell alternately ; 

 if suddenly startled, the crest sprang to its high- . 

 est point ; and when singing, or passing peace- 

 fully about the room, it dropped carelessly back 

 on her head. 



Virginia was allowed a week's solitary enjoy- 

 ment of the two cages, and then one day a new 

 tenant appeared in the cardinal's quarters. She 

 was out in the room when he arrived, but she 

 instantly came over and alighted on his roof, to 

 have a look at him. Most expressive was her 

 manner. She stood in silence and gazed upon 

 him a long time ; all her liveliness and gayety 

 were gone, and she appeared to be struck dumb 

 by this new complication of her affairs. It was 

 plain that she was not pleased. Perhaps her 

 dislike was evident to the new bird, for sud- 

 denly he flew up and snapped at her, which 

 so surprised her that she hopped a foot into 

 the air. When the time came to open the door 

 into her cage, the stranger was delighted to go 

 in, but Virginia dodged him, exactly as she 

 had done his predecessor. He did not lose 

 his temper and condescend to the vulgarity of 

 flying at her, as the first admirer had done. 



