She took up her gloves and hand-bag and went downstairs, entering
the broad, airy flower-bordered lounge of the Plaza with a friendly
nod and smile to the book-keeper in the office where she paid her
bill. Her chauffeur, a smart Frenchman in quiet livery, was awaiting
her with an assistant groom or page beside him.

"We go on to-day, Madame?" he enquired.

"Yes,--we go on"--she replied--"as quickly and as far as possible.
Just fetch my valise--it's ready packed in my room."

The groom hurried away to obey this order, and Morgana glancing
around her saw that she was an object of intense curiosity to some
of the hotel inmates who were in the lounge--men and women both. Her
grey-blue eyes flashed over them all carelessly and lighted on
Manella who stood shrinking aside in a corner. To her she beckoned
smilingly.

"Come and see me off!" she said--"Take a look at my car and see how
you'd like to travel in it!"

Manella pursed her lips and shook her head.

"I'd rather not!" she murmured--"It's no use looking at what one can
never have!"

Morgana laughed.

"As you please!" she said--"You are an odd girl, but you are quite
beautiful! Don't forget that! Tell the man on the mountain that I