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 impulsive gallantry. "Very pretty of you!" and she withdrew her hand from his too fervent clasp,--"I feel sorry for myself that I cannot rightly appreciate so charming a compliment!" "It is not a compliment"--he declared, vehemently; "It is a truth!" Her eyes dwelt on him with a wistful kindness. "You are what some people call 'a good fellow,' Giulio!" she said--"And you deserve to be very happy. I hope you will be so! I want you to prosper so that you may restore your grand old villa to its former beauty,--I also want you to marry--and bring up a big family"--here she laughed a little--"A family of sons and daughters who will be grateful to you, and not waste every penny you give them--though that is the modern way of sons and daughters." She paused, smiling at his moody expression. "And you say everything is ready?--the 'White Eagle' is prepared for flight?" "She will leave the shed at a moment's touch"--he answered--"when YOU supply the motive power!" She nodded comprehensively, and thought a moment. "Come to me the day after to-morrow"--she said--"You will then have your orders."