The young man humbly returned thanks, and, when day dawned, again transformed himself into the ring, which the princess placed amongst her most costly jewels.
It happened just about that time, that the king fell dangerously ill, and all his physicians declared his disease was incurable.
This came to the ears of Lactantius, who thereupon disguised himself as a physician, went to the royal palace, and being introduced to the king, inquired carefully respecting his symptoms, felt his pulse, examined his countenance, and said: "Your majesty's disease is no doubt an obstinate one, and very dangerous; but take courage: in a short time I will restore you to health, for I possess a remedy by which I can in a few days cure the severest and most dangerous illness that exists."
"Master physician," replied the king, "if you restore me to health, I promise to reward you so richly that you shall be content for the rest of your life."
"My sovereign," rejoined the physician, "I desire neither rank, honours, nor riches, but only request your majesty will grant me one favour."
The king readily promised this, on condition that he should require nothing that was impossible.
"I ask nothing more of your majesty than a ruby set in gold, which is now in the possession of the princess your daughter."
When the king heard this modest request, he sent for his daughter, and in presence of the physician, desired her to fetch her whole stock of jewels. The princess obeyed, leaving out, however, the precious ring. But when the physician had thoroughly examined them, he said the ruby he wished for was not amongst them.
Violante, who valued her ruby above all the rest, affirmed that she had no other jewels than those now before them; whereupon the king said to the physician: "Retire now, and return to-morrow; I will undertake that my daughter shall give me the ring."
When the physician was gone, the king called Violante, and inquired in the gentlest manner, where was the beautiful ruby which the physician wished for; saying that if she would give it to him, she should have in its place a still more beautiful and precious one. But she positively denied having it in her possession.