She told the servant they wished to make some inquiries concerning Signor and Madame Papanti, and Monsieur Duroy; and she and Mrs.Delano were shown in to wait for the lady of the house.

They had no sooner entered, than the parrot flapped her wings and cried out, "_Bon jour, joli petit diable_!" And then she began to whistle and warble, twitter and crow, through a ludicrous series of noisy variations.

Flora burst into peals of laughter, in the midst of which the lady of the house entered the room.

"Excuse me, Madame," said she.

"This parrot is an old acquaintance of mine.