e insulting and incapable. Give me the distaff and the fatal shears.
At once form a new Cabinet; and let the release of Orpheus and Eurydice
be the basis of their policy.' She threw her arms round his neck and
whispered in his ear.

Pluto was perplexed; his confidence in the Parcae was shaken. A
difficulty had occurred with which they could not cope. It was true the
difficulty had been occasioned by a departure from their own exclusive
and restrictive policy. It was clear that the gates of Hell ought never
to have been opened to the stranger; but opened they had been. Forced to
decide, he decided on the side of _expediency_, and signed a decree for
the departure of Orpheus and Eurydice. The Parcas immediately resigned
their posts, and the Furies walked off in a huff. Thus, on the third day
of the Infernal Marriage, Pluto found that he had quarrelled with all
his family, and that his ancient administration was broken up. The King
was without a friend, and Hell was without a Government!

PART II.

_A Visit to Elysium_

LET us change the scene from Hades to Olympus.

A chariot drawn by dragons hovered over that superb palace whose
sparkling steps of lapislazuli were once pressed by the daring foot of
Ixion. It descended into the beautiful gardens, and Ceres, stepping out,
sought the presence of Jove.

'Father of gods and men,' said the majestic mother of Proserpine,
'listen to a distracted parent! All my hopes were centred in my
daughter, the daughter of whom you have deprived me. Is it for this that
I endured the pangs of childbirth? Is it for this that I suckled her
on this miserable bosom? Is it for this that I tended her girlish
innocence, watched with vigilant fondness the development of her
youthful mind, and cultured with a thousand graces and accomplishments
her gifted and unrivalled promise? to lose her for ever!'

'Beloved Bona Dea,' replied Jove, 'calm yourself!'

'Jupiter, you forget that I am a mother.'

'It is the recollection of that happy circumstance that alone should
make you satisfied.'

'Do you mock me? Where is my daughter?'

'In the very situation you should desire. In her destiny all is
fulfilled which the most affectionate mother could hope. What was the
object of all your care and all her accomplishments? a good parti; and
she has found one.'

'To reign in Hell!'

'"Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven." What! would you have
had her a cup-bearer, like Hebe, or a