; a pearl or two, perhaps. Didst ever
see the King?

They say he is gentlemanlike, though a bigot. No! no rouge to-day; this
paleness is quite _apropos_. Were I as radiant as usual, I should be
taken for Aurora.'

So leaning on Manto, and preceded by the ladies of her bed-chamber,
whom, notwithstanding their repulse, she found in due attendance in the
antechamber, Proserpine again continued her progress down the gallery,
until they stopped at a door, which opening, she was ushered into the
grand circular saloon, crowned by the dome, whose exterior the Queen had
already observed. The interior of this apartment was entirely of black
and grey marble, with the exception of the dome itself, which was of
ebony, richly carved and supported by more than a hundred columns. There
depended from the centre of the arch a single chandelier of frosted
silver, which was itself as big as an ordinary chamber, but of the
most elegant form, and delicate and fantastic workmanship. As the Queen
entered the saloon, a personage of venerable appearance, dressed in a
suit of black velvet, and leaning on an ivory cane, advanced to salute
her. There was no mistaking this personage; his manners were at once so
courteous and so dignified. He was clearly their host; and Proserpine,
who was quite charmed with his grey locks and his black velvet cap, his
truly paternal air, and the beneficence of his unstudied smile, could
scarcely refrain from bending her knee, and pressing her lips to his
extended hand.

'I am proud that your Majesty has remembered me in my retirement,' said
Saturn, as he led Proserpine to a seat.

Their mutual compliments were soon disturbed by the announcement
of dinner, and Saturn offering his arm to the Queen with an air of
politeness which belonged to the old school, but which the ladies admire
in old men, handed Proserpine to the banqueting-room. They were followed
by some of the principal personages of her Majesty's suite, and a couple
of young Titans, who enjoyed the posts of aides-de-camp to the ex-King,
and whose duties consisted of carving at dinner.

It was a most agreeable dinner, and Proserpine was delighted with
Saturn, who, of course, sat by her side, and paid her every possible
attention. Saturn, whose manners, as has been observed, were of the old
school, loved a good story, and told several. His anecdotes, especially
of society previous to the Trojan war, were highly interesting. There
ran through all his beh