I shall never forget the circumstance: you should have witnessed his delight at seeing the old place and his old friends again! He flirted, he danced, he rolled in paroxysms of joy on the little table by the window, whereon he had been accustomed to go through his performances:--he chirped, he whistled; in fact, he behaved just like a mad bird.
But he did not desert his mistress, mind you.

I think he even got fonder of her than he had even been of me.

Still, often after discovering that he could thus vary the monotony of his existence by paying a visit to his old domicile--which only lay a short distance from his new quarters--he would come round; and, after spending an hour or two with me, when he would conscientiously insist on going through the entire round of his accomplishments without any invitation on my part, as if to show that he yet retained his early instructions well in mind, he would return to Min's house, and the no less warm affection that awaited him there.
This was the little present that I intended for a birthday gift to my darling: one that I valued beyond gold.

The very next afternoon I carried him round to her in my coat-pocket--he having a tiny cage that just fitted into it comfortably "to a _t_." Fortunately, I found Min alone in the drawing-room, when I was ushered in.

She was sitting on the sofa reading, and, although she rose up on my entrance, she only bowed, looking distant, and somewhat embarrassed.
This did not look well for my chances of forgiveness, and for getting her to accept Dicky Chips, did it?
I went up to her impulsively.
"Min!" I exclaimed, "can you, will you, excuse and forgive me for acting so rudely last night?
I cannot forgive myself; and I shall be miserable till you pardon me!" She looked down gravely a minute.
"What made you so naughty, sir ?" she asked at length, looking up again with a dancing light in the clear grey eyes, and a smile on her pretty little mouth.
"I thought that you did not want me, Min; and I wished myself away, when I saw you speaking to every one else that came, as if you did not care to speak to me.