tained in a costly cage, and he received a high reward. She soon ordered a still more splendid residence for him, constructed of the finest gold wire, beset with rubies, emeralds and sapphires, besides other precious materials, being resolved to guard him with the utmost care and tenderness.
As she now put her hand into the cage in order to transfer him to his new abode, he not merely permitted her to take him without the least cherupping or flutter, but looked into her face with so soft and musical an expression, pecked and billed her hands so very affectionately, that finding him so tame the Queen held him more gently than before, when he fluttered round her face and neck, and seemed so delighted that the Queen was quite overjoyed with her little feathered guest.
She placed the cage on a marble slab; leaving the door ajar, so that the King was at liberty to fly in and out when he pleased; still continuing his flattering kisses and caresses. She listened hours together to his song, played with him in a thousand little ways, and pronounced him the sweetest pretty favorite she ever had.
The poor king felt very happy in thus still being made the object of her love; and it was only when his treacherous foe, the wily Dervise made his appearance, in his stolen body; and when he lavished
