Part 35 (1/2)
”Then why not make a search for it while we are here?” he said--”You evidently believe in it!”
”I have turned the 'White Eagle' homeward, and shall not turn again”--she said--”But I do not see any reason why such a city should not exist and be discovered some day. Explorers in tropical forests find the remains or beginnings of a different race of men from our own--pygmies, and such like beings--there is nothing really against the possibility of an undiscovered City in the Great Desert. We modern folk think we know a great deal--but our wisdom is very superficial and our knowledge limited. We have not mastered EVERYTHING under the sun!”
The Marchese Rivardi looked at her with something of defiance in his glance.
”I will adventure in search of the legendary city myself, alone!” he said.
Morgana laughed, her clear little cold laugh of disdain.
”Do so, my friend! Why not?” she said--”You are a daring airman on many forms of airs.h.i.+ps--I knew that,--before I entrusted you with the scheme of mine. Discover the legendary 'Brazen City' if you can!--I promise not to be jealous!--and return to the world of curiosity mongers--(also, if you CAN!) with a full report of its inhabitants and their manners and customs. And so--you will become famous! But you must not fall asleep on the way!”
He paled with anger and annoyance,--she still smiled.
”Do not be cross, AMICO!” she said, sweetly. ”Think where we are!--in the wide s.p.a.ces of heaven, pilgrims with the stars! This is no place for personal feeling of either disappointment or irritation. You asked me a while ago if I was tired--I thought I was Hot, but I am--very tired!--I am going to rest. And I trust you both to take care of me and the 'White Eagle'!”
”We are to make straight for Sicily?” he asked.
”Yes--straight for Sicily.”
She retired into her sleeping-cabin and disappeared. The Marchese Rivardi looked at Gaspard questioningly.
”We must obey her, I suppose?”
”We could not think of disobeying!” returned Gaspard.
”She is a strange woman!” and as he spoke Rivardi gripped his steering-gear with a kind of vindictive force--”It seems absurd that we,--two men of fair intelligence and scientific attainment,--should be ruled by her whim,--her fancies--for after all she is made up of fancies--”
Gaspard shook his finger warningly.
”This air-s.h.i.+p is not a 'whim' or a 'fancy'”--he said, impressively--”It is the most wonderful thing of its kind ever invented! If it is given to the world it will revolutionise the whole system of aerial navigation. Here we are, flying at top speed in perfect ease and safety with no engine--nothing to catch fire--nothing to break or bust--and the whole mechanism mysteriously makes its own motive power as it goes. Radio-activity it may be--but its condensation and use for such a purpose is the secret invention of a woman--and surely we must admit her genius! As for our obedience--ECCELLENZA, we are both royally paid to obey!”
Rivardi flushed red.
”I know!” he said, curtly--”I never forget it. But money is not everything.”
Gaspard's mobile French face lit up with a mirthful smile.
”It is most things!” he replied--”Without it even science is crippled.
And this lady has so much of it!--it seems without end! Again,--it is seldom one meets with money and brains and beauty--all together!”
”Beauty?” Rivardi queried.
”Why, yes!--beauty that only flashes out at moments--of all beauty the most fascinating! A face that is always beautiful is fatiguing,--it is the changeful face with endless play of expression that enthralls,--or so it is to me!” And Gaspard gave an eloquent gesture--”This lady we both work for seems to have no lovers--but if she had, not one of them could ever forget her!”
Rivardi was silent.
”I should not wonder,” ventured Gaspard, presently--”if--while we slept--she had seen her 'Brazen City'!”
Rivardi uttered something like an oath.
”Impossible!” he exclaimed--”She would have awakened us!”