see! You think it is a kind of 'black magic'? Not so!--unless all
our modern science is 'black magic' as well, born of the influence
of those evil spirits who, as we are told in tradition, descended in
rebellion from heaven and lived with the daughters of men! From
these strange lovers sprang a race of giants,--symbolical I think of
the birth of the sciences, which mingle in their composition the
active elements of good and evil. You have built this airship of
mine on lines which have never before been attempted;--you have
given it wings which are plumed like the wings of a bird, not with
quills, but with channels many and minute, to carry the runlets of
the 'emanation' from the substance held in the containers at either
end of the vessel,--its easy flight therefore should not surprise
you. Briefly--we have filled a piece of mechanism with the
composition or essence of Life!--that is the only answer I can give
to your enquiring looks!--let it be enough!"

"But, Madama"--ventured Gaspard--"that composition or essence of
Life!--what is it?"

There was an instant's silence. Every man's head craned forward
eagerly to hear the reply. Morgana smiled strangely.

"That," she said--"is MY secret!"




CHAPTER IX