n his down-dropped hand.

"Gabriel is my friend, be he prince or peasant," she said slowly, "and it
will go hard with those who love him not." The young girl's eyes met
Gabriel's and then she smiled as light-heartedly as on this morning when
she wore the woolen gown. "And now make Topaz dance," she added, "the way
he danced in the woods."

The boy's happy glance dropped to the dog, and he raised his finger. With
alacrity Topaz sat up, and then Gabriel began to whistle.

How the court ladies murmured with soft laughter, for no one had ever seen
such a pretty sight. Not for any of them, not for the princess herself, had
Topaz danced as he danced to-day.

"Ah," murmured the princess, "how much more powerful than the whip is
love!"

When music and dancing had ceased, she smiled once more upon Gabriel, whose
happy heart was full.

"Go now," she said, "and learn of your new duties; but the chief one you
have learned already. It is to be faithful!"

CHAPTER XII

THE TALKING DOLL

Mr. Evringham's horseback rides in these days were apt to be accompanied by
the stories, which Jewel related to him with much enthusiasm while they
cantered through wood-roads, and it is safe to say that the tales furnished
full as much entertainment at second hand as they had at first.

The golden dog had deeply impressed Jewel's fancy, and when she finished
relating the story, her face all alight, Mr. Evringham shook his head.

"Star is going to have his hands full, I can see," he remarked, restraining
Essex Maid's longing for a gallop.

"Why, grandpa?"

"To hold his own against that dog."

Jewel looked thoughtful. "I suppose it wouldn't be any use to try to teach
Star to dance, would it?" she asked.

"Oh, yes. Ponies learn to dance. We shall have to go to a circus and let
you see one; but how should you like it every time Star heard a band or a
hand-organ to have him get up on his hind legs and begin?"

Jewel laughed and patted her pony's glossy neck. "I guess I like Star best
the way he is," she replied, "but grandpa, did you ever _hear_ of such a
darling dog?"

"I confess I never did," admitted the broker.

"I should think there was some trick Star could learn," said Jewel
musingly.

"Why, of course there is. Tell Zeke you wish to teach Star to shake hands.
He'll help you."

This idea pleased Jewel very much, and in the fullness of time the feat was
accomplished; but by the time the black pony had learned that he