Part 7 (2/2)
”You must come to Glottenberg,” she said, ”in a few months' time.”
”To obey Your Royal Highness' commands will be a delightful duty,” said I, bowing.
She rose and stood by the fire, ”toying” (as the novelists say) with her fan.
”You seem to be an obliging man, Mr. Jason,” she said. ”You were ready to oblige Mme. Vooght.”
I made a gesture of half-serious protest.
”I wonder,” she continued, ”if you would do me a little service.”
”I shall be most honored if I may hope to be able to,” said I. What did she want?
She blushed slightly, and, with a nervous laugh, said:
”It's only a short story. When I was a young girl, I was foolish enough, Mr. Jason, to fall in love, or at least to think I did. There was a young English _attache_--I know I can rely on your perfect discretion--at my father's court, and he--he forgot the difference between us. He was a man of rank, though. Well, I was foolish enough to accept from him a very valuable ring--a fine ruby--quite a family heirloom. Of course, I never wore it, but I took it. And when I married, I----”
She paused.
”Your Royal Highness had no opportunity of returning it?”
”Exactly. He had left the court. I didn't know where he was, and--and the post was not quite trustworthy.”
”I understand perfectly.”
”I saw in the papers the other day that he was married. Of course I can't keep it. His wife ought to have it--and I dare not--I would prefer not to--send it.”
”I see. You would wish me----”
”To be my messenger. Will you?”
Of course I a.s.sented. She went into an adjoining room, and returned with a little morocco case. Opening it, she showed me a magnificent ruby, set in an old gold ring of great beauty.
”Will you give it him?” she said.
”Your Royal Highness has not told me his name?”
”Lord Daynesborough. You will be able to find him?”
”Oh, yes!”
”And you will--you _will_ be careful, Mr. Jason?”
”He shall have it safely in three days. Any message with it, madame?”
”No. Yes--just my best wishes for his happiness.”
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