"You will understand, Doctor, that I am exceedingly anxious to know your opinion of my daughter's condition. You have inspired us with a degree of hope that we have not known for a long time. Indeed, Hope spread her wings and left this castle long since, and it has been little better than a charnel-house until your appearance. Now I ask you to tell me candidly whether you entertain any hope of my Feodora's ultimate recovery. You may lay your heart open to me, for I should receive her as one raised from the dead if you save her. Do not, as you love your own soul, attempt to deceive me."
"Count Icanovich," answered Dr. Jones, "I am hardly prepared to give you a definite answer. I certainly see great reason to hope all that could be expected or desired. A certain remedy is so positively and clearly indicated in her case that I shall be greatly disappointed if the most distressing of her symptoms do not immediately disappear. After that, so much depends upon the hygienic and dietic management that I do not feel justified in making an absolutely favorable prognosis."
"What if she were under your immediate supervision for a certain length of time?"
"I should, under such circumstances, feel quite sure of restoring her to perfect health."
"Then, Doctor, if money be any object to you, you shall have your own price for remaining until you pronounce her well."
"I am extremely sorry, Count, but that cannot be. My Government has built yonder aluminum air-ship at enormous expense at my express desire and instigation, with the understanding that I sail with it to the North Pole. My obligation is to do so with all possible dispatch. I will leave medicine and explicit directions, so that in all probability you will do just as well as if I remained."
The nobleman said no more upon the subject, and they joined the company in the drawing-room. Will, Fred, and Denison repaired to the stables, selected saddle-horses and rode to the town. There they were objects of great interest to the inhabitants. The news of the great silver globe—for they all believed it to be of silver, and the strangers to be fabulously rich—with its load of voyagers that came so suddenly and mysteriously among them the day before, had spread rapidly. The superstitious people were half inclined to regard them as celestial visitors, and looked upon them with awe and wonder.
The Doctor and the Professor, with the ladies, took a long walk through the park. They met many of the natives, who were coming from every direction to see the marvelous silver ship.
"I declare," said Mrs. Jones, "that I can hardly realize that all this can be true. I have to pinch myself sometimes to see if I am not enjoying a long beautiful dream."
"It is romantic to the last degree," replied Professor Gray.