CHAP. ix. THE COLLECTION ADVERTISED. 177 



of the Don, he never saw it. He saw its companions, 

 the sanderlings ; but the providential bird had gone. 

 So far as Edward knew, he never saw the like of that 

 bird again. 



Although chagrined at his disappointment, he felt 

 himself, on the whole, more refreshed and settled 

 in his mind than when he left home. After break- 

 fast the first food he had taken since the previous 

 morning he went to Union Street to open his ex- 

 hibition. As he was not disturbed by visitors, he 

 had plenty of time for reflection. He had now to 

 consider how he could honourably extricate himself 

 from the trap into which he had so unwittingly and 

 so unfortunately fallen. 



The only way which presented itself was by 

 making a terrible sacrifice, namely, by selling the 

 whole of his collection. It took him many long and 

 bitter heart-pangs before he could arrive at this con- 

 clusion. But force, stern force, prevailed over all 

 other considerations. He must, so far as he could, 

 get honourably out of debt, although not a farthing of 

 balance might remain. Yes ! his eight years' collec- 

 tion of birds and natural objects must go, so that he 

 might stand upright before the world. Accordingly, 

 an advertisement appeared in the newspapers offering 

 the collection for sale. 



After the announcement appeared, several gentle- 

 men called and told him that he was quite wrong 

 in offering his collection for sale. He had several 



N 



