"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 _attaché_--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 assented. 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." I bowed and prepared to withdraw. "And you must come and tell me----" "I will come and make my report." "I do not know how to thank you." I kissed her hand and bowed myself out, mightily amused, and, maybe, rather touched at the revelation of this youthful romance. Somehow such things are always touching, stupid as they are for the most part. It pleased me to find that the little princess was flesh and blood. She followed me to the door, and whispered, as I opened it: "I have not troubled the prince with the matter." "Wives are so considerate," thought I, as I went downstairs. On arriving in England, I made inquiries about Lord Daynesborough. I found that it was seven years since he had abruptly thrown up his post of _attaché_, without cause assigned. After this event, he lived in retirement for some time, and then returned into society. Three months ago he had married Miss Dorothy Codrington, a noted beauty, with whom he appeared much in love, and had just returned from his wedding tour and settled down for the season at his house in Curzon Street. Hearing all this, I thought the little princess might have let well alone, and kept her ring; but her conduct was no business of mine, and I set about fulfilling my commission. I needed no one to tell me that Lady Daynesborough had better, as the princess would have phrased it, not be troubled with the matter.