'By which you have lost the game,' quietly remarked Tiresias. 'There are exceptions to all rules, but it seldom answers to follow the advice of an opponent.'

   'Confusion!' exclaimed the Captain of the yacht.

   'Four by honours, and the trick, I declare,' said Proserpine. 'I was so glad to see you turn up the queen, Tiresias.'

   'I also, madam. Without doubt there are few cards better than her royal consort, or, still more, the imperial ace. Nevertheless, I must confess, I am perfectly satisfied whenever I remember that I have the Queen on my side.'

   Proserpine bowed.

   'I have a good mind to do it, Tiresias,' said Queen Proserpine, as that worthy sage paid his compliments to her at her toilet, at an hour which should have been noon.

   'It would be a great compliment,' said Tiresias.

   'And it is not much out of our way?'

   'By no means,' replied the seer. ''Tis an agreeable half-way house. He lives in good style.'

   'And whence can a dethroned monarch gain a revenue?'.inquired the Queen.

   'Your Majesty, I see, is not at all learned in politics. A sovereign never knows what an easy income is till he has abdicated. He generally commences squabbling with his subjects about the supplies; he is then expelled, and voted, as compensation, an amount about double the sum which was the cause of the original quarrel.'

   'What do you think, Manto?' said Proserpine, as that lady entered the cabin; 'we propose paying a visit to Saturn. He has fixed his residence, you know, in these regions of twilight.'

   'I love a junket,' replied Manto, 'above all things. And, indeed, I was half frightened out of my wits at the bare idea of toiling over this desert. All is prepared, please your Majesty, for our landing. Your Majesty's litter is quite ready.'

   ''Tis well,' said Proserpine; and leaning on the arm of Manto, the Queen came upon deck, and surveyed the surrounding country, a vast grey flat, with a cloudless sky of the same tint: in the distance some lowering shadows, 

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