THE DEVIL'S WAGER
had discontinued; only a certain warmth was kept up, to remind me of my situation."
"A gentle stew," said the demon.
"Yea, truly, I was but in a stew, and all from the effects of the prayers of my blessed sister. But yesterday, he who watched me in purgatory told me, that yet another prayer from my sister, and my bonds should be unloosed, and I, who am now a devil, should have been a blessed angel."
"And the other ave?" said the demon.
"She died, sir—my sister died—death choked her in the middle of the prayer." And hereat the wretched spirit began to weep and whine piteously; his salt tears falling over his beard, and scalding the tail of Mercurius the devil.
"It is, in truth, a hard case," said the demon; "but I know of no remedy save patience, and for that you will have an excellent opportunity in your lodgings below."
"But I have relations," said the Earl; "my kinsman Randal, who has inherited my lands, will he not say a prayer for his uncle?"
"Thou didst hate and oppress him when living."
"It is true; but an ave is not much; his sister, my niece, Matilda—"
"You shut her in a convent, and hanged her lover."
"Had I not reason? besides, has she not others?"
"A dozen, without a doubt."
"And my brother, the prior?"
"A liege subject of my lord the Devil: he never opens his mouth, except to utter an oath, or to swallow a cup of wine."
[81]
