Amidst all these arrangements, I dare say my young readers are anxious to learn how I was to be disposed of; and, indeed, this was a subject of frequent discussion between Henry and Mary, till the latter fortunately remembered that the lady with whom she was at school was very fond of birds. When this circumstance recurred to her, she immediately communicated it to her brother, who, as he was obliged to part with me, was happy to procure me a safe and comfortable asylum. It was therefore decided that I should be sent on the following day, and Frank was accordingly deputed to take me, with a letter from Mary to her late instructress, begging her to accept me, and recommending me to her favour by a recital of my various qualifications.

Ah! with what a heavy heart I went on this journey. My young conductor, too, seemed no less grieved than I was: but how great was my surprise, and how much my uneasiness was abated, when I was conveyed into the presence of a lady whom I instantly recognized to be my first kind mistress, Miss Sedley, who it seems had quitted the charming family in which I left her, to watch over the declining years of an affectionate mother, and had established a school, in order to reside near this beloved object. She received me very kindly, observing, when she had read Mary’s letter, that my accomplishments greatly resembled those of a little bird she once possessed. Oh, how I then wished to speak! Action, however, is eloquent where language fails: she opened the cage door, and I immediately flew on to her shoulder.

“This is surprising,” said she: “it must be my bird; but I will make one more trial.”

She then walked to the piano-forte and began to play. I immediately understood her motive, and, anxious to convince her of my identity, perched on her music-book. This was the proof she wanted: therefore she now rose, and returning to the table, wrote a kind answer to Mary, thanking her for her present, and relating the curious coincidences above mentioned.

Now, my dear young readers, I have been some time happily settled with my kind mistress, and with her I hope to spend the remainder of my days. I have frequently seen Henry and Mary, who continue as amiable as they always were, and are the delight and comfort of their parents. My life is no longer chequered by variety, but flows on in one uninterrupted stream of happiness. Here then I shall close my memoirs, though, if any new vicissitudes happen to me, (which I trust will not be the case,) I may again appear before you as an author.

THE END.

Printed by Darton, Harvey, and Co.
Gracechurch-Street, London.

Transcriber’s Notes