indeed the chance of a lifetime!'

'I don't see what you wanted with a carpet,' said Jane, 'when
you've got those lovely wings.'

'They ARE nice wings, aren't they?' said the Phoenix, simpering and
spreading them out. 'Well, I got the prince to lay out the carpet,
and I laid my egg on it; then I said to the carpet, "Now, my
excellent carpet, prove your worth. Take that egg somewhere where
it can't be hatched for two thousand years, and where, when that
time's up, some one will light a fire of sweet wood and aromatic
gums, and put the egg in to hatch;" and you see it's all come out
exactly as I said. The words were no sooner out of my beak than
egg and carpet disappeared. The royal lovers assisted to arrange
my pile, and soothed my last moments. I burnt myself up and knew
no more till I awoke on yonder altar.'

It pointed its claw at the grate.

'But the carpet,' said Robert, 'the magic carpet that takes you
anywhere you wish. What became of that?'

'Oh, THAT?' said the Phoenix, carelessly--'I should say that that
is the carpet. I remember the pattern perfectly.'

It pointed as it spoke to the floor, where lay the carpet which
mother had bought in the Kentish Town Road for twenty-two shillings
and ninepence.

At that instant father's latch-key was heard in the door.