‘Everybody notices it,’ protested Ganymede.
‘It is indeed a little noticed,’ observed Mercury.
‘What business has such a fellow to speak to Juno?’ exclaimed Jove. ‘A mere mortal, a mere miserable mortal! You have the point. How I have been deceived in this fellow! Who ever could have supposed that, after all my generosity to him, he would ever have kept me waiting for dinner?’
‘He was walking with Juno,’ said Ganymede. ‘It was all a sham about their having met by accident. Cupid saw them.’
‘Ha!’ said Jupiter, turning pale; ‘you don’t say so! Repiqued, as I am a God. That is mine. Where is the Queen?’
‘Talking to Ixion, sire,’ said Mercury. ‘Oh, I beg your pardon, sire; I did not know you meant the queen of diamonds.’
‘Never mind. I am repiqued, and I have been kept waiting for dinner. Accursed be this day! Is Ixion really talking to Juno? We will not endure this.’
‘Where is Juno?’ demanded Jupiter.
‘I am sure I cannot say,’ said Venus, with a smile.
‘I am sure I do not know,’ said Minerva, with a sneer.