ica--in California there has been a
terrible one!"

"In California!" he echoed amazedly-"Gran' Dio! You do not mean to say
that you brought these people from California, across that vast extent
of ocean?"

She smiled.

"By air-ship--yes! Really nothing so very remarkable! You will not ask
for further details just now, Professor!" and she laid her pretty hand
coaxingly on his arm--"You and I both know how advisable it is to say
as little as possible of our own work or adventures, while any subject
is awaiting treatment and every moment counts! I will answer any
question you may ask when you have seen my patients. The girl is a
beautiful creature--she is beginning to regain consciousness--but the
man I fear is past even YOUR skill. Come!"

She led the way and Professor Ardini followed, marvelling at her
ethereal grace and beauty, and more than interested in the "case" on
which his opinion was sought. Entering a beautiful room glowing with
light and warmth and colour, he saw, lying on a bed and slightly
propped up by pillows, a lovely girl, pale as ivory, with dark hair
loosely braided on either side of her head. Her eyes were closed, and
the long black lashes swept the cheeks in a curved fringe,--the lips
were faintly red, and the breath parted them slowly and reluctantly.
The Professor bent over her and listened,--her heart beat slowly but
regularly,--he felt her pulse.

"She will live!"--he said--"There are no injuries?"

"None"--Morgana replied, as he put his questions--"Some few
bruises--but no bones broken--nothing serious."

"You have examined her?"

"Yes."

"You have no nurses?"

"No. I and my house people are sufficient." Her tone became slightly
peremptory. "There is no need for outside interference. Whatever your
orders are, they shall be carried out."

He looked at her. His face was a somewhat severe one, furrowed with
thought and care,--but when he smiled, a wonderful benevolence gave it
an almost handsome effect. And he smiled now.

"You shall not be interfered with,"--he said--"You have done very well!
Complete rest, nourishment and your care are all that this patient
needs. She will be quite herself in a very short time. She is
extraordinarily beautiful!"

"I wish you could see her eyes!" said Morgana.

Almost as if the uttered wish had touched some recess of her stunned
brain, Manella's eyelids quivered and lifted,--the great dark glory of
the stars of her soul shone forth for an instan