'Destiny is eternal and irresistible,' replied Clotho. 'All is ordained; but man is, nevertheless, master of his own actions.'

   'I do not understand that,' said Proserpine.

   'It is not meant to be understood,' said Atropos; 'but you must nevertheless believe it.'

   'I make it a rule only to believe what I understand,' replied Proserpine.

   'It appears,' said Lachesis, with a blended glance of contempt and vengeance, 'that your Majesty, though a goddess, is an atheist.'

   'As for that, anybody may call me just what they please, provided they do nothing else. So long as I am not tied to a wheel or whipped with scorpions for speaking my mind, I shall be as tolerant of the speech and acts of others as I expect them to be tolerant of mine. Come, Pluto, I am sure that the chariot must be ready!'

   So saying, her Majesty took the arm of her spouse, and with a haughty curtsey left the apartment.

   'Did you ever!' shrieked Tisiphone, as the door closed.

   'No! never!' squeaked Megaera.

   'Never! never!' moaned Alecto.

   'She must understand what she believes, must she?' said Lachesis, scarcely less irritated.

   'I never heard such nonsense,' said Clotho.

   'What next!' said Atropos.

   'Disgusted with torture!' exclaimed the Furies.

   'Puzzled with Destiny!' said the Fates.

   It was the third morning after the Infernal Marriage; the slumbering Proserpine reposed in the arms of the snoring Pluto. There was a loud knocking at the chamber-door. Pluto jumped up in the middle of a dream.

   'My life, what is the matter?' exclaimed Proserpine.

   The knocking was repeated and increased. There was also a loud shout of 'treason, murder, and fire!'

   'What is the matter?' exclaimed the god, jumping out of bed and seizing his trident. 

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