"You are surprised?" said Sylvia.
"I am surprised, because I understood that you thought poorly of our 59 Kaiser."
"Poorly. What gave you that impression?"
"Why, you scorned his opinion of women."
"Who am I to scorn an emperor's opinion, even on a matter he would consider so unimportant? I confess we English girls are interested in your Maximilian, if only because we would be charitably minded and teach him better. But as for the ring they sell such things in Wandeck and many of the towns I have been visiting in Rhaetia. Did you not know that?"
"No, lady, I did not know it."
Nor, as a plain matter of fact, did Sylvia. She had first acted on impulse, and then spoken at random. The ring had been made to order from a design of her own, while she herself had painted the tiny miniature on ivory. But she had been urged by a sudden desire to see him lift the jewelled shield; and the time was not yet ripe for confessions. "Keep the trinket for your Kaiser's sake," she said.
"May I not keep it for yours as well?"
"Yes—if you bring me the milk."
The chamois-hunter caught up a gaudy jug, and, without further words, 60 strode out. When he had gone, the Princess rose and lifting the knife he had used to slice the bread and ham, she kissed the handle on the place where his brown fingers had grasped "You are a very silly girl, my dear," she said. "But oh! how you do love him! And what an exquisite hour you are having!"