soft breathing over the windings of the hills, and sets her lightly
among the flowers in the bosom of a valley below.

Psyche, in those delicate grassy places, lying [66] sweetly on her
dewy bed, rested from the agitation of her soul and arose in peace.
And lo! a grove of mighty trees, with a fount of water, clear as
glass, in the midst; and hard by the water, a dwelling-place, built
not by human hands but by some divine cunning. One recognised, even
at the entering, the delightful hostelry of a god. Golden pillars
sustained the roof, arched most curiously in cedar-wood and ivory.
The walls were hidden under wrought silver:--all tame and woodland
creatures leaping forward to the visitor's gaze. Wonderful indeed
was the craftsman, divine or half-divine, who by the subtlety of his
art had breathed so wild a soul into the silver! The very pavement
was distinct with pictures in goodly stones. In the glow of its
precious metal the house is its own daylight, having no need of the
sun. Well might it seem a place fashioned for the conversation of
gods with men!

Psyche, drawn forward by the delight of it, came near, and, her
courage growing, stood within the doorway. One by one, she admired
the beautiful things she saw; and, most wonderful of all! no lock, no
chain, nor living guardian protected that great treasure house. But
as she gazed there came a voice--a voice, as it were unclothed of
bodily vesture--"Mistress!" it said, "all these things are thine.
Lie down, and relieve thy weariness, and rise again for the bath when
thou wilt. We thy servants, whose [67] voice thou hearest, will be
beforehand with our service, and a royal feast shall be ready."

And Psyche understood that some divine care was providing, and,