THE BULLFINCH. 133 



guided his choice were not always apparent ; and 

 his dislike, which in some instances was as strik- 

 ing as his partiality in others, seemed to have no 

 better foundation than his own wayward fancy. 

 Still his prepossessions were generally constant, 

 and did not, at any rate, seem to be the mere 

 caprice of the moment. His fondness for Mrs. 

 F. was uniform, until about a year after he came 

 into her possession, when he became very ill, 

 during the moulting season. After that time he 

 did not discover any particular fondness for her, 

 though no cause of offence could be remembered. 

 The person on whom he fixed as the object of 

 his most active hostility, was Mrs. F.'s eldest 

 daughter. Though she was not so fond of 

 animals as her younger sister, and had never 

 taken so much notice of him, still she frequently 

 offered him his favourite apple-pips, and had 

 never, in any way that she knew of, either vexed 

 or hurt him. He at length wrought up his little 

 spirit to such animosity against her, that when 

 he was hopping about the table after dinner, 

 partaking of the fruit, he would occasionally fly 

 at Anne's face, and try to peck her ; and once 

 he actually suspended himself by his beak fast- 

 ened to her lip. After having exhausted him- 

 self by these assaults, he would fly across the 

 table to Mary, and in a moment assume a dif- 



