pavilion.

Blondine smiled sweetly, followed her gentle companion and recommenced
her walk in the solitary park.

THE PARROT

Six months had passed since Blondine awaked from her seven years' sleep.
It seemed to the little princess a long time. The remembrance of her
dear father often saddened her heart.

Bonne-Biche and Beau-Minon seemed to divine her thoughts. Beau-Minon
mewed plaintively, and Bonne-Biche heaved the most profound sighs.
Blondine spoke but rarely of that which occupied her thoughts
continually. She feared to offend Bonne-Biche, who had said to her three
or four times:

"Dear Blondine, be patient. You will see your father when you are
fifteen, if you continue wise and good. Trust me, dear child; do not
trouble yourself about the future and above all do not seek to leave
us."

One morning Blondine was alone and very sad. She was musing upon her
singular and monotonous existence. Suddenly she was disturbed in her
reverie by three soft little strokes upon her window. Raising her head,
she perceived a parrot with beautiful green plumage and throat and
breast of bright orange.

Surprised at the appearance of a bird entirely unknown to her, she
opened the window and invited the parrot to enter.

What was her amazement when the bird said to her, in a fine sharp voice:

"Good day, Blondine! I know that you sometimes have a very tedious time
of it, because you have no one to talk to. I have taken pity upon you
and come to have a chat with you. But I pray you do not mention that you
have seen me, for Bonne-Biche would cut my throat if she knew it."

"Why so, beautiful Parrot? Bonne-Biche is good; she injures no one and
only hates the wicked."

"Blondine, listen! If you do not promise to conceal my visit from
Bonne-Biche and Beau-Minon, I will fly away at once and never return."

"Since you wish it so much, beautiful Parrot, I will promise silence.
Let us chat a little. It is a long time since I have had an opportunity
to converse. You seem to me gay and witty. I do not doubt that you will
amuse me much."

Blondine listened with delight to the lively talk of the Parrot, who
complimented extravagantly her beauty, her wit and her talents.

Blondine was enchanted. In about an hour the Parrot flew away, promising
to return the next day. In short, he returned every day and continued to
compliment and amuse her.

One morning he struck upon the window and said:

"Blondine! Blondine! open the