They left the Forum, walked around the Palatine Hill, and turned down a narrow street near the Porta Capena. Here they stopped before a small house. “This is our new home, O Psyche,” said Gyges, as he knocked at the door. The door was opened by Nana, who gladly welcomed them. “I have brought the bird for the new cage, O Nana,” said Gyges. “Wilt thou make of me a prisoner, my Gyges?” asked Psyche, with a shy smile. “The door of this cage will always be open,” replied Gyges, laughing merrily. Psyche behaved like a child with a new gift. Her face was radiant. As each newly furnished room was shown her, she burst into exclamations of pleasure. The house consisted of a peristyle, around which opened five small rooms. In the centre of the peristyle played a small fountain, bordered by blooming flowers. At one end a stone bench, large enough for only two, invitingly held open its arms. Nana wisely left the happy lovers alone amid the flowers, and retired. “How happy we shall be here, O Gyges!” said Psyche, throwing her arms around Gyges’ neck and kissing him. “Dost thou now wonder, O my love,” he responded, “why the gods and goddesses left the heavens and came to earth to love mortals?” The lovers seated themselves on the marble bench and watched the playing fountain. Borne on the perfumed breath of the flowers, the splashing sound of the water affected the lovers with an indescribable sense of joy. The dancing drops fell now on one side and then on the other side of the basin, according as the wind blew against the spouting jet. In their happy meditations the lovers saw in the jet of water a life of pleasure breaking into drops of joy, and reflecting, after it fell into the basin, the radiant heavens. Everything about them was cheerful, bright, and sunny. The lovers remained quiet and thoughtful. They built mental pictures on the peaceful background of their new home. Gyges broke the silence by saying, as he kissed her hand, “What beautiful hands thou hast, O my love!” “They are no less finely moulded than thine are, O my lover. But thy fingers and wrists are strong as iron; mine are more supple.” “Ay, my love; thine can be broken like a tender flower. These hands must never grow hard and coarse. Nana will do all the hard work. Then thou must find some one to help thee.” “Thou wilt spoil me, O Gyges. Nana and I can do everything.” “Why canst thou not bring Lupa here? She would have a happy home with us.” “Poor unfortunate child!” said Psyche. “Last night she was beaten and put out of her home. We cared for her. Canst thou, O Gyges, provide for so many people?” “Ay, my love,” said Gyges, cheerfully. “Charioteers are well paid. I am doubly fortunate in being a favorite with the people. When we tire of this house, we can buy another better, larger, grander.” “Shall we end by living on the Palatine Hill, O my lover?” laughed Psyche.