even
the same dove that had welcomed her in the morning on the heights of
Elysium, flew before her with its wings glancing in the sunshine. It
seemed that the bird wished to attract the attention of the child, so
long and so closely did it hover about her; now resting on a branch, as
if inviting capture, and then skimming away only to return more swiftly;
and occasionally, when for a moment unnoticed, even slightly flapping
the rambler with its plume. At length the child was taken with a fancy
to catch the bird. But no sooner had she evinced this desire, than the
bird, once apparently so anxious to be noticed, seemed resolved to
lead her a weary chase; and hours flew away ere Proserpine, panting and
exhausted, had captured the beautiful rover and pressed it to her bosom.

It was, indeed, a most beautiful bird, and its possession repaid her
for all her exertions. But lo! as she stood, in a wild sylvan scene
caressing it, smoothing its soft plumage, and pressing its head to her
cheek, she beheld in the distance approaching her the serpent, and
she beheld her old friend with alarm. Apparently her misgiving was
not without cause. She observed in an instant that the appearance and
demeanour of the serpent were greatly changed. It approached her swift
as an arrow, its body rolling in the most agitated contortions, its jaws
were distended as if to devour her, its eyes flashed fire, its tongue
was a forked flame, and its hiss was like a stormy wind. Proserpine
shrieked, and the Queen of Hell awoke from her dream.

The next morning the Elysian world called to pay their respects to
Proserpine. Her Majesty, indeed, held a drawing-room, which was
fully and brilliantly attended. Her beauty and her graciousness were
universally pronounced enchanting. From this moment the career of
Proserpine was a series of magnificent entertainments. The principal
Elysians vied with each other in the splendour and variety of the
amusements, which they offered to the notice of their Queen. Operas,
plays, balls, and banquets followed in dazzling succession. Proserpine,
who was almost inexperienced in society, was quite fascinated. She
regretted the years she had wasted in her Sicilian solitude; she
marvelled that she ever could have looked forward with delight to a dull
annual visit to Olympus; she almost regretted that, for the sake of an
establishment, she could have been induced to cast her lot in the regal
gloom of Tartarus. Elysium exactly suit