charming Proserpine, excuse me for a moment.'

   'Not at all; I will accompany you.'

   'But, my love, my sweetest, my own, this is business; these are affairs of state. The council chamber is not a place for you.'

   'And why not?' said Proserpine. 'I have no idea of ever leaving you for a moment. Why not for me as well as for the Fates and the Furies? Am I not Queen? I have no idea of such nonsense!'

   'My love!' said the deprecating husband.

   'You don't go without me,' said the imperious wife, seizing his robe.

   'I must,' said Pluto.

   'Then you shall never return,' said Proserpine.

   'Enchantress! be reasonable.'

   'I never was, and I never will be,' replied the Goddess.

   'Treason! treason!' screamed Terror.

   'My love, I must go!'

   'Pluto,' said Proserpine, 'understand me once for all, I will not be contradicted.'

   Rage stamped his foot.

   'Proserpine, understand me once for all, it is impossible,' said the God, frowning.

   'My Pluto!' said the Queen. 'Is it my Pluto who speaks thus sternly to me? Is it he who, but an hour ago, a short hour ago, died upon my bosom in transports and stifled me with kisses! Unhappy woman! wretched, miserable Proserpine! Oh! my mother! my kind, my affectionate mother! Have I disobeyed you for this! For this have I deserted you! For this have I broken your beloved heart!' She buried her face in the crimson counterpane, and bedewed its gorgeous embroidery with her fast-flowing tears.

   'Treason!' shouted Terror.

   'Ha! ha! ha!' exclaimed the hysterical Proserpine.

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