"And you will do it!" interrupted Morgana eagerly, "You will use your best skill and knowledge--everything you wish shall be at your service--name whatever fee your merit claims--"
He raised his hand with a deprecatory gesture.
"Money does not count with me, Signora!" he said--"Nor with you. The point with both of us in all our work is--success! Is it not so? Yes! And it is because I do not see a true success in this case that I hesitate; true success would mean the complete restoration of this man to life and intelligence,--but life without intelligence is no triumph for science. I can do all that science will allow--"
"And you WILL do this 'all'"--said Morgana, eagerly--"You will forego triumph for simple pity!--pity for the girl who would surely die if he were dead!--and perhaps after all, God may help the recovery!"
"It shall be as you wish, Signora! I must stay here two or three days--"
"As long as you find it necessary"--said Morgana--"All your orders shall be obeyed."
"Good! Send me a trustworthy man-servant who can help to move and support the patient, and we can get to work. I left a few necessary appliances in your hall--I should like them brought into this room--and then--" here he took her hand and pressed it kindly--"you can leave us to our task, and take some rest. You must be very tired."
"I am never tired"--she answered, gently--"I thank you in advance for all you are going to do!"
She left the room then, with one backward glance at the inert stiff figure on the bed,--and went to arrange matters with her household that the Professor's instructions should be strictly carried out. Lady Kingswood, deeply interested, heard her giving certain orders and asked-"There is hope then? These two poor creatures will live?"
"I think so"--answered Morgana, with a thrill of sadness in her sweet voice--"They will live--pray God their lives may be worth living!"
She watched the man-servant whom she had chosen to wait on Ardini depart on his errand--she saw him open the door of the room where Seaton lay, and shut it--then there was a silence. Oppressed by a sudden heaviness of heart she thought of Manella, and entered her apartment softly to see how she fared. The girl's beautiful dark eyes were wide open and full of the light of life and consciousness. She smiled and stretched out her arms.