Then it held up its head, gazed around it with a vacant air, as if suddenly awakened from a very long sleep, and, opening its mouth, exclaimed in loud, clear, sharp, and distinct tones--and in English--"Pretty Poll! Pretty Poll! Polly wants a buss! Polly wants a nice sweet bit of apple!" For a moment M.Peyron couldn't imagine what had happened.

Felix looked at Muriel.

Muriel looked at Felix.

The Englishman held out both his hands to her in a wild fervor of surprise.

Muriel took them in her own, and looked deep into his eyes, while tears rose suddenly and dropped down her cheeks, one by one, unchecked.