230 ADVENTURES AMONG BIRDS 



deny you the boon desired so ardently — so easily be- 

 stowed ! Go, and know the happiness which freedom 

 gives, which is now yours, but can nevermore, alas ! be 

 mine. 



So saying, Phyllis opens the cage and sets it free. 

 Away it flies ; tears burst forth at the sight ; with 

 misty eyes she watches it winging its way through 

 the air till its little form is lost in the distance ; and 

 gazing still, for one sweet moment has the illusion 

 that she, too, has flown, following it, that she too has 

 recovered her lost liberty. 



