"I was just making it up when you came in, dear child. These thoughts often come to me as I walk up and down my beautiful garden. '_The butterfly----_'" But Wiggs had let go her hand and was running back to the Palace. She wanted to be alone to think this out. What had happened? That it was truly a magic ring, as the fairy had told her, she had no doubt; that her wish was a bad one, that she had been bad enough to earn it, she was equally certain. What then had happened? There was only one answer to her question. The bad wish had been granted to someone else. To whom? She had lent the ring to nobody. True, she had told the Princess all about it, but---- Suddenly she remembered. The Countess had had it in her hands for a moment. Yes, and she had sent her out of the room, and-- So many thoughts crowded into Wiggs's mind at this moment that she felt she must share them with somebody. She ran off to find the Princess. CHAPTER XIV "WHY CAN'T YOU BE LIKE WIGGS?" Hyacinth was with Udo in the library. Udo spent much of his time in the library nowadays; for surely in one of those many books was to be found some Advice to a Gentleman in Temporary Difficulties suitable to a case like his. Hyacinth kept him company sadly. It had been such a brilliant idea inviting him to Euralia; how she wished now that she had never done it. "Well, Wiggs," she said, with a gentle smile, "what have you been doing with yourself all the morning?" Udo looked up from his mat and nodded to her. "I've found out," said Wiggs excitedly; "it was the _Countess_ who did it." Udo surveyed her with amazement. "The Princess Hyacinth," he said, "has golden hair. One discovers these things gradually." And he returned to his book. Wiggs looked bewildered. "He means, dear," said Hyacinth, "that it is quite obvious that the Countess did it, and we have known about it for days." Udo wore, as far as his face would permit, the slightly puffy expression of one who has just said something profoundly ironical and is feeling self-conscious about it. "Oh--h," said Wiggs in such a disappointed voice that it seemed as if she were going to cry. Hyacinth, like the dear that she was, made haste to comfort her. "We didn't really _know_," she said; "we only guessed it. But now that you have found out, I shall be able to punish her properly. No, don't come with me," she said, as she rose and moved towards the door; "stay here and help his Royal Highness. Perhaps you can find the book that he wants; you've read more of them than I have, I expect." Left alone with the Prince, Wiggs was silent for a little, looking at him rather anxiously. "Do you know _all_ about the Countess?" she asked at last. "If there's anything I don't know, it must be _very_ bad." "Then you know that it's all my fault that you are like this? Oh, dear Prince Udo, I am so dreadfully sorry." "What do you mean--_your_ fault?" "Because it was my ring that did it."