“Not the half of your Kingdom—like the Royal men in fairy stories?”
As soon as the words were out Virginia would have given much to have them back. She had not thought of a meaning they might convey; but she tried not to blush, lest he should think of it now. Nevertheless he did think of it, and the light words, striking a chord they had not aimed to touch, went echoing on and on, till they reached that part of himself which the Emperor knew least about—his heart.
“Half his Kingdom?” Yes, he would give it to this girl, if he could. Heavens, what it would be to share it with her!
“Ask anything you will,” he said, as a man speaks in a dream.
“Then tell me—why you kept the ring.”
“Because the only woman I ever cared—to make my friend, took it from her finger and gave it to me.”
“Now the Emperor is pleased to pay compliments.”
“You know I am sincere.”
“But you’d seen me only for an hour. Instead of deserving your friendship, I’m afraid I—”