are remedies for most of our evils in the very composition of the
elements--if we were not ignorant and stupid enough to discourage
our discoverers on the verge of discovery. My application of a
certain substance, known to scientists, but scarcely understood, is
an attempt to solve the problem of swift aerial motion by light and
heat--light and heat being the chiefest supports of life. To use a
force giving out light and heat continuously seemed to me the way to
create and command equally continuous movement. I have--I think and
hope--fairly succeeded, and in order to accomplish my design I have
used wealth that would not have been at the service of most
inventors,--wealth which my father left to me quite
unconditionally,--but were I able to fly with my 'White Eagle' to
the remotest parts of the Milky Way itself, I should not look to
find peace or happiness!"

"Why?"

The priest's simple query had a note of tender pity in it. Morgana
looked up at him with a little smile, but her eyes were tearful.

"Dear Don Aloysius, how can I tell 'why'? Nobody is really happy,
and I cannot expect to have what is denied to the whole world!"

Aloysius resumed his slow walk to and fro, and she kept quiet pace
with him.

"Have you ever thought what happiness is?" he asked, then--"Have you
ever felt it for a passing moment?"

"Yes"--she answered quickly--"But only at rare intervals--oh so