messenger, like Hermes? Was
the daughter of Jove and Ceres to be destined to a mere place in our
household! Lady! she is the object of envy to half the goddesses. Bating
our own bed, which she could not share, what lot more distinguished than
hers? Recollect that goddesses, who desire a becoming match, have a
very limited circle to elect from. Even Venus was obliged to put up with
Vulcan. It will not do to be too nice. Thank your stars that she is not
an old maid like Minerva.'

'But Mars? he loved her.'

'A young officer only with his half-pay, however good his connections,
is surely not a proper mate for our daughter.'

'Apollo?'

'I have no opinion of a literary son-in-law. These scribblers are at
present the fashion, and are very well to ask to dinner; but I confess a
more intimate connection with them is not at all to my taste.'

'I meet Apollo everywhere.'

'The truth is, he is courted because every one is afraid of him. He is
the editor of a daily journal, and under the pretence of throwing light
upon every subject, brings a great many disagreeable things into notice,
which is excessively inconvenient. Nobody likes to be paragraphed; and
for my part I should only be too happy to extinguish the Sun and every
other newspaper were it only in my power.'

'But Pluto is so old, and so ugly, and, all agree, so ill-tempered.'

'He has a splendid income, a magnificent estate; his settlements are
worthy of his means. This ought to satisfy a mother; and his political
influence is necessary to me, and this satisfies a father.'

'But the heart-----'

'As for that, she fancies she loves him; and whether she do or not,
these feelings, we know, never last. Rest assured, my dear Ceres, that
our girl has made a brilliant match, in spite of the gloomy atmosphere
in which she has to reside.'

'It must end in misery. I know Proserpine. I confess it with tears, she
is a spoiled child.'

'This may occasion Pluto many uneasy moments; but that is nothing to you
or me. Between ourselves, I shall not be at all surprised if she plague
his life out.'

'But how can she consort with the Fates? How is it possible for her
to associate with the Furies? She, who is used to the gayest and most
amiable society in the world? Indeed, indeed, 'tis an ill-assorted
union!'

'They are united, however; and, take my word for it, my dear madam, that
you had better leave Pluto alone. The interference of a mother-in-law is
proverbially never