girl led the Chamberlain and all the Court to the wood where
the Nightingale sang. When they were half-way there a cow began to
low.

"Hark!" said all the courtiers. "What a beautiful note, and how
powerful for such a tiny creature! I have certainly heard it before."

"No," said the maid, "that is only the lowing of a cow. We have a long
way to go yet."

"Oh, how exquisite!" murmured the Chinese Court-chaplain, as he heard
the frogs croaking in a marsh. "Now I can hear it; why, it resembles
the chime of silver bells."

"No, those are only the marsh frogs," said the little maid. "But we
shall soon be able to hear it now." And then, just as she spoke, the
Nightingale commenced to sing.

"Ah, now!" said the girl. "Listen, listen! There it sits up in the
branches," and she pointed to a tiny gray bird clinging to a spray of
thorn.

"I should never have believed it would look like that," exclaimed the
Chamberlain. "It looks so simple and so pale; it must be frightened at
the sight of so many grand people."

"Dear Nightingale," called the little girl, "our most noble Emperor
desires you to sing to him."

"Oh, certainly, with pleasure," replied the Nightingale; and it sang
so beautifully it was a treat to hear it.

"It is like the sound of running water; and see how its tiny throat
quivers, too," the Chamberlain said. "How strange that we have never
heard it talked about before! It will be an immense success at Court."

"Would the Emperor like to hear another song?" asked the bird, for it
thought the Emperor had been listening all the time.

"Most worthy Nightingale," the Chamberlain replied, "it is with great
pleasure I command you to appear before his Majesty at a Court
reception to-night, when you will charm his Majesty with your
delightful singing."

"It sounds so much more beautiful out in the wood," said the bird; but
still it promised willingly when it heard it was the Emperor's royal
desire.

The palace was very elegant in its decorations. The porcelain walls
and floors glittered and shone with the reflection from many lamps.
Beautiful flowers, shaking their silvery bells, were banked in rich
profusion on each side of the great staircase. Indeed, what with the
passing of many feet and the great draught, the bells tinkled so
loudly you could hardly hear yourself speak.

The Emperor sat on a jewelled throne in the centre of the great hall,
and close beside him stood a golden perch for the Nightingale. A