as too simple and primitive in her nature to question
anything that her "little white angel" as she called her, suggested or
commanded. Intensely grateful for the affectionate care bestowed upon
her, she acquiesced in what she understood to be the methods of
possible cure for the ruined man to whom she had bound her life.

"If he gets well--quite, quite well"--she said, lifting her splendid
dark eyes to Morgana's blue as "love-in-a-mist" "I will go away and
give him to you!"

And she meant it, having no predominant idea in her mind save that of
making her elect beloved happy.

Meanwhile Morgana announced her intention of taking another aerial
voyage in the "White Eagle"--much to the joy of Giulio Rivardi.
Receiving his orders to prepare the wonderful air-ship for a long
flight, he and Gaspard worked energetically to perfect every detail.
Where he had previously felt a certain sense of fear as to the
capabilities of the great vessel, controlled by a force of which
Morgana alone had the secret, he was now full of certainty and
confidence, and told her so.

"I am glad"--he said--"that you are leaving this place where you have
installed people who to me seem quite out of keeping with it. That
terrible man who shouts 'I am master of the world'!--ah, cara
Madonna!--I did not work at your fairy Palazzo d'Oro for such an
occupant!"

"I know you did not;"-=she answered, gently--"Nor did I intend it to be
so occupied. I dreamed of it as a home of pleasure where I should
dwell--alone! And you said it would be lonely!--you remember?"

"I said it was a place for love!" he replied.

"You were right! And love inhabits it--love of the purest, most
unselfish nature--"

"Love that is a cruel martyrdom!" he interposed.

"True!" and her eyes shone with a strange brilliancy--"But love--as the
world knows it--is never anything else! There, do not frown, my friend!
You will never wear its crown of thorns! And you are glad I am going
away?"

"Yes!--glad that you will have a change"--he said--"Your constant care
and anxiety for these people whom we rescued from death must have tired
you out unconsciously. You will enjoy a free flight through space,--and
the ship is in perfect condition; she will carry you like an angel in
the air!"

She smiled and gave him her hand.

"Good Giulio!--you are quite a romancist!--you talk of angels without
believing in them!"

"I believe in them when I look at YOU!" he said, with all an Italian's