they re-entered the palace.

Mercury met Juno and Ixion in the gallery leading to the grand
banqueting hall.

'I was looking for you,' said the God, shaking his head. 'Jove is in a
sublime rage. Dinner has been ready this hour.'

The King of Thessaly and the Queen of Heaven exchanged a glance and
entered the saloon. Jove looked up with a brow of thunder, but did not
condescend to send forth a single flash of anger. Jove looked up and
Jove looked down. All Olympus trembled as the Father of Gods and men
resumed his soup. The rest of the guests seemed nervous and reserved,
except Cupid, who said immediately to Juno, 'Your Majesty has been
detained?'

'I fell asleep in a bower reading Apollo's last poem,' replied Juno. 'I
am lucky, however, in finding a companion in my negligence. Ixion, where
have you been?'

'Take a glass of nectar, Juno,' said Cupid, with eyes twinkling with
mischief; 'and perhaps Ixion will join us.'

This was the most solemn banquet ever celebrated in Olympus. Everyone
seemed out of humour or out of spirits. Jupiter spoke only in
monosyllables of suppressed rage, that sounded like distant thunder.
Apollo whispered to Minerva. Mercury never opened his lips, but
occasionally exchanged significant glances with Ganymede. Mars
compensated, by his attentions to Venus, for his want of conversation.
Cupid employed himself in asking disagreeable questions. At length
the Goddesses retired. Mercury exerted himself to amuse Jove, but the
Thunderer scarcely deigned to smile at his best stories. Mars picked
his teeth, Apollo played with his rings, Ixion was buried in a profound
reverie.

It was a great relief to all when Ganymede summoned them to the presence
of their late companions.

'I have written a comment upon your inscription,' said Minerva to Ixion,
'and am anxious for your opinion of it.'

'I am a wretched critic,' said the King, breaking away from her. Juno
smiled upon him in the distance.

'Ixion,' said Venus, as he passed by, 'come and talk to me.'

The bold Thessalian blushed, he stammered out an unmeaning excuse, he
quitted the astonished but good-natured Goddess, and seated himself by
Juno, and as he seated himself his moody brow seemed suddenly illumined
with brilliant light.

'Is it so?' said Venus.

'Hem!' said Minerva.

'Ha, ha!' said Cupid.

Jupiter played piquette with Mercury.

'Everything goes wrong to-day,' said the King of Heaven; 'cards
wretched, and kept waiting for