They stood together, gazing into the reddening west, thrilled with expectancy,--while with a steady swiftness and accuracy of movement the bird-like object which at the first glimpse had seemed so small gradually loomed larger with nearer vision, its enormous wings spreading wide and beating the air rhythmically as though the true pulsation of life impelled their action. Neither Lady Kingswood nor Don Aloysius exchanged a word, so absorbed were they in watching the "White Eagle" arrive, and not till it began to descend towards the shore did they relax their attention and turn to each other with looks of admiration and amazement. "How long have they been gone?" asked Aloysius then. Lady Kingswood glanced at her watch. "Barely two hours." At that moment the "White Eagle" swooped suddenly over the gardens, noiselessly and with an enormous spread of wing that was like a white cloud in the sky--then gracefully swerved aside towards its "shed" or aerodrome, folding its huge pinions as of its own will and sliding into its quarters as easily as a hand may slide into a loose-fitting glove. The two interested watchers of its descent and swift "run home" had no time to exchange more than a few words of comment before Morgana ran lightly up the terrace, calling to them with all the gaiety of a child returning on a holiday. "It was glorious!" she exclaimed--"Just glorious! We've been to Naples,--crowds gathered in the street to stare at us,--we were ever so high above them and they couldn't make us out, as we moved so silently! Then we hovered for a bit over Capri,--the island looked like a lovely jewel shining with sun and sea,--and now here we are!--home in plenty of time to dress for dinner! You see, dear 'Duchess'--you need not have been nervous,--the 'White Eagle' is safer than any railway train, and ever so much pleasanter!" "Well, I'm glad you've come back all right"--said Lady Kingswood--"It's a great relief! I certainly was afraid---" "Oh, you must never be afraid of anything!" laughed Morgana--"It does no good. We are all too much afraid of everything and everybody,--and often when there's nothing to be afraid of! Am I not right, most reverend Father Aloysius?" and she turned with a radiant smile to the priest whose serious dark eyes rested upon her with an expression of mingled admiration and wonder--"I'm so glad to find you here with Lady Kingswood--I'm sure you told her there was no danger for me, didn't you? Yes? I thought so! Now do stay and dine with us, please!--I want you to talk to the Marchese Rivardi--he's rather cross! He cannot bear me to have my own way!--I suppose all men are like that!--they want women to submit, not to command!" She laughed again. "See!--here he comes,--with the sulky air of a naughty boy!" this, as Rivardi slowly mounted the terrace steps and approached--"I'm off to dress for dinner--come, 'Duchess!' We'll leave the men to themselves!"