"I must be quite frank with you,"--she said, after a preliminary conversation with the great man in his own Italian tongue--"These two people have suffered their injuries by drowning--but not altogether. They are the victims of an earthquake,--and were thrown by the earth's upheaval into a deep chasm flooded by water--"
The Professor interrupted her.
"Pardon, Signora! There has been no recent earthquake in Europe."
She gave a little gesture of assent.
"Not in Europe--no! But in America--in California there has been a terrible one!"
"In California!" he echoed amazedly-"Gran' Dio! You do not mean to say that you brought these people from California, across that vast extent of ocean?"
She smiled.
"By air-ship--yes! Really nothing so very remarkable! You will not ask for further details just now, Professor!" and she laid her pretty hand coaxingly on his arm--"You and I both know how advisable it is to say as little as possible of our own work or adventures, while any subject is awaiting treatment and every moment counts! I will answer any question you may ask when you have seen my patients. The girl is a beautiful creature--she is beginning to regain consciousness--but the man I fear is past even YOUR skill. Come!"
She led the way and Professor Ardini followed, marvelling at her ethereal grace and beauty, and more than interested in the "case" on which his opinion was sought. Entering a beautiful room glowing with light and warmth and colour, he saw, lying on a bed and slightly propped up by pillows, a lovely girl, pale as ivory, with dark hair loosely braided on either side of her head. Her eyes were closed, and the long black lashes swept the cheeks in a curved fringe,--the lips were faintly red, and the breath parted them slowly and reluctantly. The Professor bent over her and listened,--her heart beat slowly but regularly,--he felt her pulse.
"She will live!"--he said--"There are no injuries?"
"None"--Morgana replied, as he put his questions--"Some few bruises--but no bones broken--nothing serious."
"You have examined her?"
"Yes."
"You have no nurses?"
"No. I and my house people are sufficient." Her tone became slightly peremptory. "There is no need for outside interference. Whatever your orders are, they shall be carried out."
He looked at her. His face was a somewhat severe one, furrowed with thought and care,--but when he smiled, a wonderful benevolence gave it an almost handsome effect. And he smiled now.