"'Tis a fair promise," said the princess, "but I see no flaming letters."
"I do, your highness," returned Gabriel simply, and looking into his eyes she knew that he spoke the truth.
She gazed at him curiously. "Where go you now, and what do you do?" she asked, after a pause.
"That I know not," replied Gabriel, "but God will show me."
"By means of that book?"
"Yes, your highness," and Gabriel bowed his head and moved toward the door. Topaz followed close at his heel. If Gabriel were going for a walk, why, so much the better. He was going, too.
The boy smiled rather sadly, for he knew the golden dog loved him, and there was no one else anywhere who cared whether he went or came. He stooped and, picking up the little creature, carried him to the princess. "You will have to hold him from following me, your highness."
The girl took the dog, but he struggled and broke from her grasp, to leap once again upon his departing friend.
"Wait," said the princess, and rose. Gabriel stood, all attention, and gazed at her, where she stood, smiling kindly upon him. "I promised a full reward to whomever returned me my dog. You have not yet received even the window-full of pink and white sweetmeats which I promised you this morning."
Gabriel smiled, too.