my heart, and may we never be nearer than we are at present.'

'Good! i'faith; Apollo, your arm. Now for the ladies. La, la, la, la!
la, la, la, la!'

The Thunderer entered the saloon of Juno with that bow which no God
could rival; all rose, and the King of Heaven seated himself between
Ceres and Latona. The melancholy Apollo stood apart, and was soon
carried off by Minerva to an assembly at the house of Mnemosyne.
Mercury chatted with the Graces, and Bacchus with Diana. The three Muses
favoured the company with singing, and the Queen of Heaven approached
Ixion.

'Does your Majesty dance?' she haughtily inquired.

'On earth; I have few accomplishments even there, and none in Heaven.'

'You have led a strange life! I have heard of your adventures.'

'A king who has lost his crown may generally gain at least experience.'

'Your courage is firm.'

'I have felt too much to care for much. Yesterday I was a vagabond
exposed to every pitiless storm, and now I am the guest of Jove. While
there is life there is hope, and he who laughs at Destiny will gain
Fortune. I would go through the past again to enjoy the present, and
feel that, after all, I am my wife's debtor, since, through her conduct,
I can gaze upon you.'

'No great spectacle. If that be all. I wish you better fortune.'

'I desire no greater.'

'You are moderate.'

'I am perhaps more unreasonable than you imagine.'

'Indeed!'

Their eyes met; the dark orbs of the Thessalian did not quail before the
flashing vision of the Goddess. Juno grew pale. Juno turned away.

PART II.

_'Others say it was only a cloud.'_

_A Mortal Among the Gods._

MERCURY and Ganymede were each lolling on an opposite couch in the
antechamber of Olympus.

'It is wonderful,' said the son of Maia, yawning. 'It is incredible,'
rejoined the cupbearer of Jove, stretching his legs.

'A miserable mortal!' exclaimed the God, elevating his eyebrows.

'A vile Thessalian!' said the beautiful Phrygian, shrugging his
shoulders.

'Not three days back an outcast among his own wretched species!'

'And now commanding everybody in Heaven.' 'He shall not command me,
though,' said Mercury.

'Will he not?' replied Ganymede. 'Why, what do you think? only last
night; hark! here he comes.'

The companions jumped up from their couches; a light laugh was heard.
The cedar portal was flung open, and Ixion lounged in, habited in a
loose morning robe, and kicking before him o