ious! We've been to
Naples,--crowds gathered in the street to stare at us,--we were ever so
high above them and they couldn't make us out, as we moved so silently!
Then we hovered for a bit over Capri,--the island looked like a lovely
jewel shining with sun and sea,--and now here we are!--home in plenty
of time to dress for dinner! You see, dear 'Duchess'--you need not have
been nervous,--the 'White Eagle' is safer than any railway train, and
ever so much pleasanter!"

"Well, I'm glad you've come back all right"--said Lady Kingswood--"It's
a great relief! I certainly was afraid---"

"Oh, you must never be afraid of anything!" laughed Morgana--"It does
no good. We are all too much afraid of everything and everybody,--and
often when there's nothing to be afraid of! Am I not right, most
reverend Father Aloysius?" and she turned with a radiant smile to the
priest whose serious dark eyes rested upon her with an expression of
mingled admiration and wonder--"I'm so glad to find you here with Lady
Kingswood--I'm sure you told her there was no danger for me, didn't
you? Yes? I thought so! Now do stay and dine with us, please!--I want
you to talk to the Marchese Rivardi--he's rather cross! He cannot bear
me to have my own way!--I suppose all men are like that!--they want
women to submit, not to command!" She laughed again. "See!--here he
comes,--with the sulky air of a naughty boy!" this, as Rivardi slowly
mounted the terrace steps and approached--"I'm off to dress for
dinner--come, 'Duchess!' We'll leave the men to themselves!"

She slipped her arm through Lady Kingswood's and hurried her away. Don
Aloysius was puzzled by her words,--and, as Rivardi came up to him
raised his eyebrows interrogatively. The Marchese answered the unspoken
query by an impatient shrug.

"Altro! She is impossible!" he said irritably--"Wild as the
wind!--uncontrollable! She will kill herself!--but she does not care!"

"What has she done?" asked Aloysius, smiling a little--"Has she
invented something new?--a parachute in which to fall gracefully like a
falling star?"

"Nothing of the kind"--retorted Rivardi; vexed beyond all reason at the
priest's tranquil air of good-humored tolerance--"But she insists on
steering the air-ship herself! She took my place to-day."

"Well?"

"Well! You think that nothing? I tell you it is very serious--very
foolhardy. She knows nothing of aerial navigation--"

"Was her steering faulty?"

Rivardi hesitated.