earance, she must no doubt have married a god, and who knows what
will happen? At all events, if--which heaven forbid--she does become the
mother of a divine infant, I shall instantly hang myself. Meanwhile let
us return to our parents, and devise some scheme based on what we have
just been saying."

The sisters, thus inflamed with jealousy, called on their parents in a
careless and disdainful manner; and after being kept awake all night by
the turbulence of their spirits, made all haste at morning to the rock,
whence, by the wonted assistance of the breeze, they descended swiftly
to Psyche, and with tears squeezed out by rubbing their eyelids, thus
craftily addressed her:--

"Happy indeed are you, and fortunate in your very ignorance of so heavy
a misfortune. There you sit, without a thought of danger; while we, your
sisters, who watch over your interests with the most vigilant care, are
in anguish at your lost condition. For we have learned as truth, and as
sharers in your sorrows and misfortunes cannot conceal it from you, that
it is an enormous serpent, gliding along in many folds and coils, with a
neck swollen with deadly venom, and prodigious gaping jaws, that
secretly sleeps with you by night. Remember the Pythian Oracle. Besides,
a great many of the husbandmen, who hunt all round the country, and ever
so many of the neighbors, have observed him returning home from his
feeding-place in the evening. All declare, too, that he will not long
continue to pamper you with delicacies, but will presently devour you.
Will you listen to us, who are so anxious for your precious safety, and
avoiding death, live with us secure from danger, or die horribly? But if
you are fascinated by your country home, or by the endearments of a
serpent, we have at all events done our duty toward you, like
affectionate sisters."

Poor, simple, tender-hearted Psyche was aghast with horror at this
dreadful story; and quite bereft of her senses, lost all remembrance of
her husband's admonitions and of her own promises, and hurled herself
headlong into the very abyss of calamity. Trembling, therefore, with
pale and livid cheeks and an almost lifeless voice, she faltered out
these broken words:--

"Dearest sisters, you have acted toward me as you ought, and with your
usual affectionate care; and indeed, it appears to me that those who
gave you this information have not invented a falsehood. For, in fact, I
have never yet beheld my husband's fa