to ask," I replied; "but among
gentlefolk these generous sentiments are natural. If your brother and I
were to meet in the field, we should meet like tigers; but when he sees
me here disarmed and helpless, he forgets his animosity." (At which, as
I had ventured to expect, this beardless champion coloured to the ears
for pleasure.) "Ah, my dear young lady," I continued, "there are many of
your countrymen languishing in my country, even as I do here. I can but
hope there is found some French lady to convey to each of them the
priceless consolation of her sympathy. You have given me alms; and more
than alms--hope; and while you were absent I was not forgetful. Suffer
me to be able to tell myself that I have at least tried to make a
return; and for the prisoner's sake deign to accept this trifle."

So saying, I offered her my lion, which she took, looked at in some
embarrassment, and then, catching sight of the dedication, broke out
with a cry--

"Why, how did you know my name?" she exclaimed.

"When names are so appropriate, they should be easily guessed," said I,
bowing. "But indeed, there was no magic in the matter. A lady called you
by name on the day I found your handkerchief, and I was quick to remark
and cherish it."

"It is very, very beautiful," said she, "and I shall be always proud of
the inscription.--Come, Ronald, we must be going." She bowed to me as a
lady bows to her equal, and passed on (I could have sworn) with a
heightened colour.

I was overjoyed: my innocent ruse had succeeded; she had taken my gift
without a hint of payment, and she would scarce sleep in peace till she
had made it up to me. No greenhorn in matters of the heart, I was
besides aware that I had now a resident ambassador at the court of my
lady. The lion might be ill chiselled; it was mine. My hands had made
and held it; my knife--or, to speak more by the mark, my rusty nail--had
traced those letters; and simple as the words were, they would keep
repeating to her that I was grateful and that I found her fair. The boy
had looked like a gawky, and blushed at a compliment; I could see
besides that he regarded me with considerable suspicion; yet he made so
manly a figure of a lad, that I could not withhold from him my sympathy.
And as for the impulse that had made her bring and introduce him, I
could not sufficiently admire it. It seemed to me finer than wit, and
more tender than a caress. It said (plain as language), "I do not and I
can