Psyche smiled, stretched out her hand and took a peach, a pear, a bunch of blue grapes.... The pipes played merrily together, and higher and higher and higher soared the lark and sang. Then Psyche heard the brook babbling gently; the doves answered one another, and round her the morning sang her welcome.
Then footsteps light approached her softly; the pipes ceased playing; the girls rose and made a deep reverence. And between the pillars of crystal appeared Prince Eros, the King of the Present.
The girls withdrew, and Eros approached and knelt before Psyche.
He said nothing, but looked at her.
“Eros,” said Psyche, “I thank you.... I have rested; my eyes cease to burn; my hunger is appeased.... I have heard sweet music, and everything appeared kind and to love me.”
The Kingdom of the Present
[To face p. 82
“Everything in my kingdom is glad that the queen has come. Everything is glad that the queen has awaked.”
“The Queen of the Present,” murmured Psyche.