"No, those are frogs," said the little kitchen maid. "But now I think we shall soon hear it."
And then the Nightingale began to sing.
"That is it!" exclaimed the little girl. "Listen, listen! and yonder it sits."
And she pointed to a little gray bird up in the boughs.
"Is it possible?" cried the cavalier. "I should never have thought it looked like that! How simple it looks! It must certainly have lost its color at seeing such grand people around."
"Little Nightingale!" called the little kitchen maid, quite loudly, "our gracious Emperor wishes you to sing before him."
"With the greatest pleasure!" replied the Nightingale, and began to sing most delightfully.
"It sounds just like glass bells!" said the cavalier. "And look at its little throat, how it's working! It's wonderful that we should never have heard it before. That bird will be a great success at Court."
"Shall I sing once more before the Emperor?" inquired the Nightingale, for it thought the Emperor was present.
"My excellent little Nightingale," said the cavalier, "I have great pleasure in inviting you to a Court festival this evening, when you shall charm his Imperial Majesty with your beautiful singing."