One of eleven tracings in Birmingham's collection for 'The Story of Cupid and Psyche' made to accompany the poem in William Morris' 'The Earthly Paradise'.

This study recounts the return of Psyche through the black waters, holding bits of golden fleece in her gathered garments, returning to Venus. This sketch represents the second of the four trials Venus puts Psyche through to atone for her injuring Cupid and disobeying him. For more completed sketches of Psyche wading through the water, see the sketchbook, 1927P648, particularly number 53, recto and verso.