a very poisonous aspect. And while the three-
headed Cerberus was fawning so lovingly on
King Pluto, there was the dragon tail wagging
against its will, and looking as cross and ill
natured as you can imagine, on its own separate
account.

"Will the dog bite me?" asked Proserpina,
shrinking closer to Pluto. "What an ugly crea-
ture he is!"

"O, never fear," answered her companion.
"He never harms people, unless they try to enter
my dominions without being sent for, or to get
away when I wish to keep them here. Down,
Cerberus! Now, my pretty Proserpina, we will
drive on."

On went the chariot, and King Pluto seemed
greatly pleased to find himself once more in
his own kingdom. He drew Proserpina's atten-
tion to the rich veins of gold that were to be
seen among the rocks, and pointed to several
places where one stroke of a pickaxe would
loosen a bushel of diamonds. All along the
road, indeed, there were sparkling gems, which
would have been of inestimable value above
ground, but which here were reckoned of the

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v?