Here dwells a race apart--a race of beautiful human creatures who have discovered the secret of perpetual youth and immortality on this earth.

They have seen the centuries come and go,--the flight of time touches them not,--they only await the day when the whole world will be free to them--that 'world to come' which is not made for the 'many,' but the 'few.' All the discoveries of our modern science are known to them--our inventions are their common everyday appliances--and on the wings of air and rays of light they hear and know all that goes on in every country.

Our wars and politics are no more to them than the wars and politics of ants in ant-hills,--they have passed beyond all trivialities such as these.
They have discovered the secret of life's true enjoyment--and--they enjoy!" "That's a fine story if true!" said Colonel Boyd-- "But all the same, it must be dull work living shut up in a city with nothing to do,--doomed to be young and to last for ever!" Morgana had listened intently,--her eyes were brilliant.
"Yes--I think it would be dull after a couple of hundred years or so"-- she said--"One would have tested all life's possibilities and pleasures by then." "I am not so sure of that!" put in the Marchese Rivardi--"With youth nothing could become tiresome--youth knows no ennui." Some of the other listeners to the conversation laughed.
"I cannot quite agree to that"-- said a lady who had not yet spoken--"Nowadays the very children are 'bored' and ever looking for something new--it is just as if the world were 'played out'-- and another form of planet expected." "That is where we retain the vitality of our faith--" said Don Aloysius--"We expect--we hope! We believe in an immortal progress towards an ever Higher Good." "But I think even a soul may grow tired!" said Morgana, suddenly--"so tired that even the Highest Good may seem hardly worth possessing!" There was a moment's silence.
"Povera figlia!" murmured Aloysius, hardly above his breath,--but she caught the whisper, and smiled.
"I am too analytical and pessimistic," she said--"Let us all go for a ramble among the flowers and down to the sea! Nature is the best talker, for the very reason that she has no speech!" The party broke up in twos and threes and left the loggia for the garden.

Rivardi remained a moment behind, obeying a slight sign from Aloysius.
"She is not happy!" said the priest--"With all her wealth, and all her gifts of intelligence she is not happy, nor is she satisfied.

Do you not find it so ?" "No woman is happy or satisfied till love has kissed her on the mouth and eyes!" answered Rivardi, with a touch of passion in his voice,--"But who will convince her of that?
She is satisfied with her beautiful surroundings,--all the work I have designed for her has pleased her,--she has found no fault--" "And she has paid you loyally!" interpolated Aloysius--"Do not forget that! She has made your fortune.