together in a close mass they somewhat resembled the "suckers" on
the tentacles of a giant octopus. Morgana, seating herself in an
easy chair of the richly carpeted "drawing-room" of her "air
palace," studied every line, turn and configuration of this
extraordinary arrangement with a keenly observant and criticising
eye. The Marchese Rivardi and Gaspard watched her expression
anxiously.

"You are satisfied?" asked Rivardi, at last--"It is as you planned?"

She turned towards Gaspard with a smile.

"What do YOU think about it?" she queried--"You are an expert in
modern scientific work--you understand many of the secrets of
natural force--what do YOU think?"

"Madama, I think as I have always thought!--a body without soul!"

"What IS soul?" she said--"Is it not breath?--the breath of life? Is
it not said that God 'made man of the dust of the ground and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a
living soul!' And what is the breath of life? Is it not composed of
such elements as are in the universe and which we may all discover
if we will, and use to our advantage? You cannot deny this! Come,
Marchese!--and you, Monsieur Gaspard! Call to them below to set this
Eagle free; we will fly into the sunrise for an hour or two,--no
farther, as we are not provisioned."

"Madama!" stammered Gaspard--"I am not prepared--"