With the mental image I had to be satisfied, for although I
remained for some hours at that spot, I saw her no more, nor did
I hear any familiar melodious sound. 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.
Pages:
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113