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104 'You are very well off where you are,' answered the Demon curtly.

'So I am, sir, and well aware that I enjoy many happy privileges through your condescending kindness; but remember your own promises. You have often said that I really was due for a holiday, and richly deserved one. I have worked night and day in your service for nearly two hundred years, and have not had a good holiday yet. A little shooting in a green forest, or boating on a lake with the sun shining on the waves, or swimming in the sea with the fishes playing round and round; or even a quiet stroll through the streets of London or Paris with the fine ladies and gentlemen, would set me up wonderfully, and give me strength to serve you with redoubled energy and faithfulness for another two hundred years. And in addition to that, sir—do not be impatient, I beg of you—I shall be able to do you immense service on the earth just now: now is the happy time for extending your empire. I can give splendid lectures on the beauty and wisdom of free-thinking philosophy, and can prove by actual experiment the truth of evolution, and show people a sweet little chattering monkey growing in a few hours into a charming girl who dances like an angel, and sings like a nightingale. I can do a thousand things in your interest which you do not trouble yourself to think of. I hope you will remember my past services, and the number of times I have saved your most amiable daughter—the true ornament and delight of your Majesty's Court—from long and painful illnesses by reason of her own little indiscretions, through being rather too fond of creature comforts; and remember, sir——'

'Oh, enough, enough!' broke in the Demon angrily; 'do you mean to assassinate me with that jaw-breaking tongue of yours? You would drive an army of old women and parsons mad. I acknowledge your cleverness, and