likely to spoil the most perfect environment! Though the Marchese
Rivardi DID ask me to-day what was the use of my pretty 'palazzo'
and gardens without love! A sort of ethical conundrum!"

She glanced at Rivardi as she spoke--he was rolling a cigarette in
his slim brown fingers and his face was impassively intent on his
occupation.

"Well, that's so!"--and her American friend looked at her kindly--
"Even a fairy palace and a fairy garden might prove lonesome for
one!"

"And boresome for two!" laughed Morgana--"My dear Colonel Boyd! It
is not every one who is fitted for matrimony--and there exist so
many that ARE,--eminently fitted--we can surely allow a few
exceptions! I am one of those exceptions. A husband would be
excessively tiresome to me, and very much in my way!"

Colonel Boyd laughed heartily.

"You won't always think so!" he said--"Such a charming little woman
must have a heart somewhere!"

"Oh, yes, dear!" chimed in his fragile invalid wife, "I am sure you
have a heart!"

Morgana raised herself on her cushions to a sitting posture and
looked round her with a curious little air or defiance.

"A heart I MUST have!" she said--"otherwise I could not live. It is