emand that which is not in the power of Pluto to
concede,' said Lachesis.

'I have heard much of treason since my entrance into Hades,' replied
Orpheus, 'and this sounds like it.'

'Mortal!' exclaimed Clotho, with contempt.

'Nor is it in your power to return, sir,' said Tisiphone, shaking her
whip.

'We have accounts to settle with you,' said Megaera.

'Spare her, spare her,' murmured Proserpine to her lover.

'King of Hades!' said Lachesis, with much dignity, 'I hold a
responsible office in your realm, and I claim the constitutional
privilege of your attention. I protest against the undue influence
of the Queen. She is a power unknown in our constitution, and an
irresponsible agent that I will not recognise. Let her go back to the
drawing-room, where all will bow to her.'

'Hag!' exclaimed Proserpine. 'King of Hades, I, too, can appeal to you.
Have I accepted your crown to be insulted by your subjects?'

'A subject, may it please your Majesty, who has duties as strictly
defined by our infernal constitution as those of your royal spouse;
duties, too, which, let me tell you, madam, I and _my order_ are
resolved to perform.'

'Gods of Olympus!' cried Proserpine. 'Is this to be a Queen?'

'Before we proceed further in this discussion,' said Lachesis, 'I must
move an inquiry into the conduct of his Excellency the Governor of the
Gates. I move, then, that Cerberus be summoned.

Pluto started, and the blood rose to his dark cheek. 'I have not yet had
an opportunity of mentioning,' said his Majesty, in a low tone, and with
an air of considerable confusion, 'that I have thought fit, as a reward
for his past services, to promote Cerberus to the office of the Master
of the Hounds. He therefore is no longer responsible.'

'O-h!' shrieked the Furies, as they elevated their hideous eyes.

'The constitution has invested your Majesty with a power in the
appointment of your Officers of State which your Majesty has undoubtedly
a right to exercise,' said Lachesis. 'What degree of discretion it
anticipated in the exercise, it is now unnecessary, and would be
extremely disagreeable, to discuss. I shall not venture to inquire by
what new influence your Majesty has been guided in the present instance.
The consequence of your Majesty's conduct is obvious, in the very
difficult situation in which your realm is now placed. For myself and my
colleagues, I have only to observe that we decline, under this crisis,
any further respo