The public were gathered, impatient and scornful as the pigheaded public are apt to be.

In the open area a long cylindrical balloon, in shape like a Bologna sausage, swayed above the machine, from which, like some enormous bird caught in a net, it tried to free itself.

A heavy rope held it fast to the ground.
Little was waiting for the ballast, when his eye caught Lady Caroline's among the spectators.

The glance was appealing.

In a moment he was at her side.
"I should like so much to get into the machine," said the arch-hypocrite, demurely.
"Are you engaged to marry young Raby," said Little, bluntly.
"As you please," she said with a courtesy; "do I take this as a refusal ?" Little was a gentleman.