‘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 Megaera. 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, Parcae, 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. ‘Destiny is eternal and irresistible,’ replied Clotho. ‘All is ordained; but man is, nevertheless, master of his own actions.’ ‘I do not understand that,’ said Proserpine. ‘It is not meant to be understood,’ said Atropos; ‘but you must nevertheless believe it.’ ‘I make it a rule only to believe what I understand,’ replied Proserpine. ‘It appears,’ said Lachesis, with a blended glance of contempt and vengeance, ‘that your Majesty, though a goddess, is an atheist.’ ‘As for that, anybody may call me just what they please, provided they do nothing else. So long as I am not tied to a wheel or whipped with scorpions for speaking my mind, I shall be as tolerant of the speech and acts of others as I expect them to be tolerant of mine. Come, Pluto, I am sure that the chariot must be ready!’ So saying, her Majesty took the arm of her spouse, and with a haughty curtsey left the apartment. ‘Did you ever!’ shrieked Tisiphone, as the door closed. ‘No! never!’ squeaked Megaera. ‘Never! never!’ moaned Alecto. ‘She must understand what she believes, must she?’ said Lachesis, scarcely less irritated. ‘I never heard such nonsense,’ said Clotho. ‘What next!’ said Atropos. ‘Disgusted with torture!’ exclaimed the Furies. ‘Puzzled with Destiny!’ said the Fates.