hat so protrudes, and which I
have not?" "Oh! my daughter," said Rustico, "'tis the Devil
of whom I have told thee: and, seest thou? he is now
tormenting me most grievously, insomuch that I am scarce
able to hold out." Then:--"Praise be to God," said the girl,
"I see that I am in better case than thou, for no such Devil
have I." "Sooth sayst thou," returned Rustico; "but instead
of him thou hast somewhat else that I have not." "Oh!" said
Alibech, "what may that be?" "Hell," answered Rustico: "and
I tell thee, that 'tis my belief that God has sent thee
hither for the salvation of my soul; seeing that, if this
Devil shall continue to plague me thus, then, so thou wilt
have compassion on me and permit me to put him in hell, thou
wilt both afford me great and exceeding great solace, and
render to God an exceeding most acceptable service, if, as
thou sayst, thou art come into these parts for such a
purpose." In good faith the girl made answer:--"As I have
hell to match your Devil, be it, my father, as and when you
will." Whereupon:--"Bless thee, my daughter," said Rustico,
"go we then, and put him there, that he leave me henceforth
in peace." Which said, he took the girl to one of the beds
and taught her the posture in which she must lie in order to
incarcerate this spirit accursed of God. The girl, having
never before put any devil in hell, felt on this first
occasion a twinge of pain: wherefore she said to Rustico:--

"Of a surety, my father, he must be a wicked fellow, this
devil, and in very truth a foe to God; for there is sorrow
even in hell--not to speak of other places--when he is put
there." "Daughter," said Rustico, "'twill not be always so."
And for better assurance thereof they put him there six
times before they quitted the bed; whereby they so
thoroughly abased his pride that he was fain to be quiet.
However, the proud fit returning upon him from time to time,
and the girl addressing herself always obediently to its
reduction, it so befell that she began to find the game
agreeable, and would say to Rustico:--"Now see I plainly
that 'twas true, what the worthy men said at Capsa, of the
service of God being so delightful: indeed I cannot remember
that in aught that ever I did I had so much pleasure, so
much solace, as