reasures this
jewel, this turquoise of heaven's own charming blue, encased and
decorated with gold."

The treasurer drew the turquoise from his pocket. It was of the size of
an egg. He placed it in Wogan's hand, who gently returned it.

"I cannot take it," said he.

"Gemini!" cried the treasurer. "But it is more than a turquoise, Mr.
Warner. Jewellers have delved in it. It has become subservient to man's
necessities. It is a snuff-box."

"I cannot take it."

"King John of Poland, he whom the vulgar call Glorious John, did rescue
and enlarge it from its slavery to the Grand Vizier of Turkey at the
great battle of Vienna. There is no other in the world--"

Wogan cut the treasurer short.

"You will take it again to his Highness. You will express to him my
gratitude for his kindness, and you will say furthermore these words:
'Mr. Warner cannot carry back into Italy a present for himself and a
refusal for his Prince.'"

Wogan spoke with so much dignity that the treasurer had no words to
answer him. He stood utterly bewildered; he stared at the jewel.

"Here is a quandary!" he exclaimed. "I do declare every circumstance of
me trembles," and shaking his head he went away. But in a little he came
again.

"His Highness distinguishes you, Mr. Warner, with imperishable honours.
His Highness solicits your company to a solitary dinner. You shall dine
with him alone. His presence and unfettered conversation shall season
your soup and be the condiments of your meat."

Wogan's heart jumped. There could be only one reason for so unusual an
invitation on such a day, and he was not mistaken; for as soon as the
Prince was served in a little room, he dismissed the lackeys and
presented again the turquoise snuff-box with his own hands.

"See, Mr. Wogan, your persuasions and your conduct have gained me over,"
said he. "Your refusal of this bagatelle assures me of your honour. I
trust myself entirely to your discretion; I confide my beloved daughter
to your care. Take from my hands the gift you refused this morning, and
be assured that no prince ever gave to any man such full powers as I
will give to you to-night."

Wogan's gratitude wellnigh overcame him. The thing that he had worked
for and almost despaired of had come to pass. For a while he could not
speak; he flung himself upon his knees and kissed the Prince's hand.
That very night he received the letter giving him full powers, and the
next morning he drove off in a carr