Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/101

Rh "Thou hast hell, and I tell thee methinketh God hath sent thee hither for my soul's health, for that, whenas this devil doth me this annoy, an it please thee have so much compassion on me as to suffer me put him back into hell, thou wilt give the utmost solacement and wilt do God a very great pleasure and service, so indeed thou be come into these parts to do as thou sayest."

The girl answered in good faith:

"Marry, father mine, since I have hell, be it whensoever it pleaseth thee;" whereupon quoth Rustico:

"Daughter, blessed be thou; let us go then and put him back there, so he may after leave me in peace."

So saying, he laid her on one of their little beds and taught her how she should do to imprison that accursed one of God. The girl, who had never yet put any devil in hell, for the first time felt some little pain; wherefore she said to Rustico:

"Certes, father mine, this same devil must be an ill thing and an enemy in very deed of God, for that it irketh hell itself, let be otherwhat, when he is put back therein."

"Daughter," answered Rustico, "it will not always happen thus;" and to the end this should not happen, six times, or ever they stirred from the bed, they put him in hell again, insomuch that for the nonce they so took the conceit out of his head that he willingly abode at peace. But, it returning to him again and again the ensuing days and the obedient girl still lending herself to take it out of him, it befell that the sport began to please her and she said to Rustico:

"I see now that those good people in Capsa