point protuberance of gold, and
pressing sharply, the shield flew up to reveal a tiny but exquisitely
painted miniature of Leopold the First of Rhaetia.

The chamois hunter stared at it, and did not speak, but the blood came
up to his brown forehead.

"You're surprised?" asked Virginia.

"I am surprised because I'd been led to suppose that you thought
poorly of our Emperor."

"_Poorly!_ Now what could have given you that impression?"

"Why, you--made fun of his opinion of women."

"Who am I, pray, to 'make fun' of an Emperor's opinion, even in a
matter he would consider so unimportant? On the contrary, I confess
that I, like most other girls I know, am deeply interested in your
great Leopold, if only because I--we--would be charitably minded and
teach him better. As for the ring, they sell things more or less of
this sort, in several of the Rhaetian cities I've passed through on my
way here. Didn't you know that?"

"No, lady, I have never seen one like it."

"And as for my knowledge of Rhaetian, I've always been interested in
the study of languages. Languages are fascinating to conquer; and
then, the literature of your country is so splendid, one must be able
to read it at first hand. Now, you'll have to say 'yes' to the ring,
won't you, and keep it for your Emperor's sake, if not for mine?"

"May I not keep it for yours as well?"

"Yes, if you please. And--about the milk?"

The chamois hunter caught up a gaudy jug, and without further words,
went out. When he had gone, the Princess rose and, taking the knife he
had used to cut the bread and ham, she kissed the handle on the place
where his fingers had grasped it. "You're a very silly girl, Virginia,
my dear," she said. "But oh, how you do love him. How he is _worth_
loving, and--what a glorious hour you're having!"

For ten minutes she sat alone, perhaps more; then the door was flung
open and her host flung himself in, no longer with the gay air which
had sat like a cloak upon him, but hot and sulky, the jug in his hand
as empty as when he had gone out.

"I have failed," he said gloomily. "I have failed, though I promised
you the milk."

"Couldn't you find a cow?" asked Virginia.

"Oh yes, I found one, more than one, and caught them too. I even
forced them to stand still, and grasped them by their udders, but not
a drop of milk would come down. Abominable brutes! I would gladly have
killed them, but that would have given you no milk."

For her lif