Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/100

Rh questions, he found that she had never known man and was in truth as simple as she seemed; wherefore he bethought, him, how, under colour of the service of God, he might bring her to his pleasures. In the first place, he showed her with many words how great an enemy the devil was of God the Lord and after gave her to understand that the most acceptable service that could be rendered to God was to put back the devil in hell, whereto He had condemned him. The girl asked him how this might be done; and he, "Thou shalt soon know that; do thou but as thou shalt see me do." So saying, he proceeded to put off the few garments he had and abode stark naked, as likewise did the girl, whereupon he fell on his knees, as he would pray, and caused her abide over against himself.

Matters standing thus and Rustico being more than ever inflamed in his desires to see her so fair, there came the resurrection of the flesh, which Alibech observing and marvelling:

"Rustico," quoth she, "What is that I see on thee which thrusteth forth thus and which I have not?"

"Faith, daughter mine," answered he, "this is the devil whereof I bespoke thee; and see now, he giveth me such sore annoy that I can scarce put up with it."

Then said the girl:

"Now praised be God! I see I fare better than thou, in that I have none of yonder devil."

"True," rejoined Rustico; "but thou hast overwhat that I have not, and thou hast it instead of this."

"What is that?" asked Alibech; and he: