ter that I should come to Toroczko once more, and not with empty
hands, but should bring them something. I have come, and I bring
them--you, Manasseh, alive and unharmed. That is how a Wallachian girl
remembers a kindness."

She turned to go, but then, as if remembering something, came back and
drew a ring from her finger.

"Here," said she, "I will give you this ring. Do you remember it?"

"It belonged to my sister," answered Manasseh, in a tone of sadness. "I
bought it for her to give to her lover as an engagement ring. Soon
afterward he deserted her."

"I know it. Her name is engraved inside the ring. The pretty fellow who
gave it me told me all about it. He said to me: 'My pearl, my
turtledove, my diamond, see here, I place this ring on your finger and
swear to be true to you. But I can't marry you as long as that other
woman lives who wears my betrothal ring, for our laws forbid it. That
woman dwells in the big house at Toroczko. You know her name and know
what to do to enable me to marry you.'"

Manasseh trembled with suppressed passion as he listened. The girl
handed him the ring and proceeded:

"Give her back her ring; it belongs to her. And tell me, did not this
man come to you and tell you how a shameless creature in woman's form
was to steal into your house, and, under the pretext of rescuing your
wife and sister, lead them away to misery and dishonour? Speak, did he
not tell you some such story?"

"Yes, he did."

Zenobia laughed in hot anger and scorn. "Well, then," said she, in
conclusion, "I have another present for you. The proverb says, 'Little
kindnesses strengthen the bonds of friendship.' And this will be the
smallest of gifts I could possibly make you. The handsome young man who
gave me this ring, and is betrothed to me--or thinks he is--lies
somewhere yonder in a ditch. His horse took fright at the tumult, and
threw him so that he broke his ankle. His fleeing troops left him lying
there; they stumbled over him and ran on; no one offered to help him up.
They all hate him, and they see in his fall a punishment from Heaven.
The Wallachian fears to lend aid to him that is thought to lie under
God's displeasure. The fallen man's horse you will find in the church.
Mount it and hasten back to Toroczko. As for the rider, you will do well
to hang him to the nearest tree. You have a gipsy here to help you. And
now farewell."

She blew a little whistle that hung at her neck, and a lad appeared
lead