For I was now convinced that in this wild solitary girl I had at length discovered the mysterious warbler that so often followed me in the wood.

At length, seeing that it was growing late, I took a drink from the stream and slowly and reluctantly made my way out of the forest and went home.
Early next day I was back in the wood full of delightful anticipations, and had no sooner got well among the trees than a soft, warbling sound reached my ears; it was like that heard on the previous day just before catching sight of the girl among the ferns.

So soon! thought I, elated, and with cautious steps I proceeded to explore the ground, hoping again to catch her unawares.

But I saw nothing; and only after beginning to doubt that I had heard anything unusual, and had sat down to rest on a rock, the sound was repeated, soft and low as before, very near and distinct.

Nothing more was heard at this spot, but an hour later, in another place, the same mysterious note sounded near me.