The Fates and the Furies exchanged glances of astonishment and horror.

   'For my part,' continued Proserpine, 'I make it a rule to support the weaker side, and nothing will ever persuade me that Ixion is not a victim, and a pitiable one.'

   'Well! men generally have the best of it in these affairs,' said Lachesis, with a forced smile.

   'Juno ought to be ashamed of herself,' said Proserpine. 'Had I been in her situation, they should have tied me to a wheel first. At any rate, they ought to have punished him in Heaven. I have no idea of those people sending every

    mauvais sujet

   to Hell.'

   'But what shall we do?' inquired Pluto, who wished to turn the conversation.

   'Shall we turn out a sinner and hunt him for her Majesty's diversion?' suggested Tisiphone, flanking her serpents.

   'Nothing of the kind will ever divert me,' said Proserpine; 'for I have no hesitation in saying that I do not at all approve of these eternal punishments, or, indeed, of any punishment whatever.'

   'The heretic!' whispered Tisiphone to Megæra. Alecto moaned.

   'It might be more interesting to her Majesty,' said Atropos, 'to witness some of those extraordinary instances of predestined misery with which Hades abounds. Shall we visit OEdipus?'

   'Poor fellow!' exclaimed Proserpine. 'For myself, I willingly confess that torture disgusts and Destiny puzzles me.'

   The Fates and the Furies all alike started.

   'I do not understand this riddle of Destiny,' continued the young Queen. 'If you, Parcæ, have predestined that a man should commit a crime, it appears to me very unjust that you should afterwards call upon the Furies to punish him for its commission.'

   'But man is a free agent,' observed Lachesis, in as mild a tone as she could command.

   'Then what becomes of Destiny?' replied Proserpine.

 Prev. P 9/52 next