self had already reflected that it was an unjusti-
fiable act to take you away from your good
mother. But, then, you must consider, my dear
child, that this vast palace is apt to be gloomy,
(although the precious stones certainly shine very
bright,) and that I am not of the most cheerful
disposition, and that therefore it was a natural
thing enough to seek for the society of some
merrier creature than myself. I hoped you
would take my crown for a plaything, and me
ah, you laugh, naughty Proserpina me, grim
as I am, for a playmate. It was a silly ex-
pectation."

"Not so extremely silly," whispered Proser-
pina. "You have really amused me very much,
sometimes."

"Thank you," said King Pluto, rather dryly.
"But I can see, plainly enough, that you think
my palace a dusky prison, and me the iron-
hearted keeper of it. And an iron heart I should
surely have, if I could detain you here any
longer, my poor child, when it is now six months
since you tasted food. I give you your liberty.
Go with Quicksilver. Hasten home to yoim
dear mother."

[[266]]

p265 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p266w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p267

v?