The dawn was spreading in threads of gold and silver and blue all
over the heavens, and the sea flushed softly under the deepening
light, as she went towards the aerodrome, he walking slowly by her
side.

"Are you so sure?" he said--"Will you not risk your life in this
attempt?"

She stopped abruptly.

"My life? What is it? The life of a midge in the sun! It is no good
to me unless I do something with it! I would live for ever if I
could!--here, on this dear little ball of Earth--I do not want a
better heaven. The heaven which the clergy promise us is so
remarkably unattractive! But I run no risk of losing my life or
yours in our aerial adventures; we carry the very essence of
vitality with us. Come!--I want to see my flying palace! When I was
a small child I used to feed my fancy on the 'Arabian Nights,' and
most dearly did I love the story of Aladdin and his palace that was
transported through the air. I used to say 'I will have a flying
palace myself!' And now I have realised my dream."

"That remains to be proved"--said Rivardi--"With all our work we may
not have entirely carried out your plan."

"If not, it will HAVE to be carried out"--returned Morgana,
tranquilly--"There is no reason, moral or scientific, why it should
NOT be carried out--we have all the forces of Nature on our side."

He was silent, and accompanied her as she walked to the aerodrome