“But I also loved them,” sobbed Ida. Psyche smiled a little. “Yes, my child, you were dazzled by their beauty, and thought you could fly up hither on the first morning breeze. But know--the gods are not easily approached; weary were the works I had to perform before I could be admitted, although led by Cupid. And know also, that all who enter must come with fair foreheads and serene eyes. You are a wee thing, with sad, shy eyes; and then those dusty feet of yours--Jupiter would never like to have those treading upon his golden floors. It is useless to sit weeping here. Minerva will order you off if she finds you. She has the care of the steps. You had better go back to your village and learn to spin with your mother.” “But I have no mother,” cried Ida, “and my father is always out fishing. If I go among the children they will only laugh at me, because I told them such grand stories about the immortals, and left their plays to wander alone on the shore; and how can I go back to seaweed and rocks again, after having had a glimpse of this golden Olympus? O, I wish I were only a little brown leaf!” and she wept more and more, as if her very heart would break. Psyche looked thoughtfully at her a while, and then said, “Would you like to be one of the Doves of Venus?” “O, yes!” exclaimed Ida, her eyes brightening. “But remember you will have to obey her every fancy, and fly far and wide; and her jewelled car is not light, nor does she drive with gentle rein.” But Ida, with clasped hands, entreated that she might become one of Venus's Doves; so Psyche kissed her tearful face, and she was changed into a dove with soft, bright eyes, dainty red feet, and a breast white as the sea foam. She flew into the circle of immortals, and none recognized in her the little stumbling girl, except Mercury, who merely smiled to himself, and was too good natured to reveal the secret. Venus was much pleased to see a new, shining dove fluttering at her feet, and immediately harnessed it to her car, with delicate hands, and flew far over land and sea. Whether the little dove Ida found Venus and her winged car a weary burden to draw, I cannot tell you; but some time you may yourself become one of Venus's doves, and then you will know all about it. THE GALA DAY. PERSONS. MRS. LANDOR. EDITH, her daughter, } FANNY, Edith's cousin. } Dressed as Fairies. EDWARD, Mrs. Landor's son. ELINOR, a gypsy woman. JULIA. Fantastically dressed. LISA. In an old brown dress. CATHARINE HALL. SARAH MUNN. Constable and men. Many children, dressed as fairies. SCENE 1. _A Garden; Children dressed as Fairies, playing about. They join hands in a dance._ SONG. Sing the round; Chide no bound; Frisk it free with merry feet; Harebells blue, Violets true, Lend your odors; breathe them sweet.