The Fates and the Furies all alike started.
‘I do not understand this riddle of Destiny,’ continued the young Queen. ‘If you, Parcæ, have predestined that a man should commit a crime, it appears to me very unjust that you should afterwards call upon the Furies to punish him for its commission.’
‘But man is a free agent,’ observed Lachesis, in as mild a tone as she could command.
‘Then what becomes of Destiny?’ replied Proserpine.
‘Destiny is eternal and irresistible,’ replied Clotho. ‘All is ordained; but man is, nevertheless, master of his own actions.’
‘I do not understand that,’ said Proserpine.
‘It is not meant to be understood,’ said Atropos; ‘but you must nevertheless believe it.’
‘I make it a rule only to believe what I understand,’ replied Proserpine.
‘It appears,’ said Lachesis, with a blended glance of contempt and vengeance, ‘that your Majesty, though a goddess, is an atheist.’
‘As for that, anybody may call me just what they please, provided they do nothing else. So long as I am not tied to a wheel or whipped with scorpions for speaking my mind, I shall be as tolerant of the speech and acts of others as I expect them to be tolerant of mine. Come, Pluto, I am sure that the chariot must be ready!’