Viola does not stoop just yet for the ring the steward tossed to the ground. She has never seen it before so it cannot be from Orsino, but she has just heard with her own ears how Olivia reviles him, so it cannot be to Orsino either. Then she gasps and covers her mouth: a ring is just a link on a chain like she is – or rather, like Cesario is – Olivia wants the messenger to be the man, while she, poor monster, dotes instead on Orsino.