did thrones. Sophia sat highest with the
bowl in her hands, near a majestic man, whose locks were bound by a
garland of oak leaves, and who bore in his right hand a palm of peace
instead of a sceptre. A lily leaf bent over the chalice of the floating
flower. The little Fable sat upon it, and sang to the harp the sweetest
song. In the chalice sat Eros himself, bending over a beautiful,
slumbering maiden who held him fast embraced. A smaller blossom closed
around them both, so that from the thighs they seemed changed to a
flower.

Eros thanked Ginnistan with thousand fold rapture. He embraced her
tenderly, and she returned his caresses. Wearied by the fatigues of the
journey, and by the manifold objects he had seen, he longed for quiet
and rest. Ginnistan, who felt deeply attracted by the beautiful youth,
took good care not to mention the draught which Sophia had given him.
She led him to a retired bath, and removed his armor. Eros dipped
himself in the dangerous waves, and came out again in rapture.
Ginnistan chafed dry his strong limbs knit with youthful vigor. He
thought with ardent longing of his beloved, and embraced the charming
Ginnistan in sweet delusion. He surrendered himself carelessly to his
tenderness, and fell asleep on the fair bosom of his guide.

In the mean time a sad change had taken place at home. The scribe had
involved the domestics in a dangerous conspiracy. His fiendish mind had
long sought occasion to obtain possession of the government of the
house, and to shake off his yoke. Such an occasion he had found. His
party first seized the mother and put her in irons. The father also was
deprived of everything but bread and water. The little Fable heard the
noise in the chamber. She hid herself behind the altar; and observing
that there was a concealed door on its farther side, she opened it
quickly, and discovered a staircase leading from it. She closed the
door behind her, and descended the stairs in the dark. The scribe
rushed furiously into the chamber, in order to revenge himself on the
little Fable, and to take Sophia captive. Neither of them was to be
found. The bowl was also missing, and in his wrath he broke the altar
into a thousand pieces, without, however, discovering the secret
staircase.

Fable continued to descend for a considerable time. At length she
reached an open space adorned with splendid colonnades, and closed by a
great door. All objects there were dark. The air was like one i