ontinued
writing notwithstanding his madness; and his readers never once perceived
his derangement, so much did his new books resemble his old ones.

Faustus was delighted with this adventure; but becoming weary of the
town, he quitted it the next morning with the Devil, and took the road to
France.

CHAPTER IV.

When Faustus and the Devil entered upon the fertile soil of France, it
was groaning beneath the oppression of that cruel and cowardly tyrant
Louis the Eleventh, who was the first that ever styled himself "the most
Christian king." The Devil had determined not to give Faustus the
slightest information beforehand concerning this prince. He had resolved
to drive him to despair, and then overwhelm him with the most frightful
blow a mortal can receive who has rebelliously transgressed the bounds
which a powerful hand has drawn around him.

The Devil had learnt from one of his spies that the most Christian king
was meditating a masterpiece of state policy; or, in other words, was on
the point of getting rid of his brother, the Duke de Berry, in order that
a province which had been granted to him might revert to the crown. The
malicious fiend resolved to make Faustus a spectator of this horrid
scene. They rode through a wood of oaks contiguous to a castle, and saw
among the trees a Benedictine monk, who seemed to be telling his rosary.
The Devil rejoiced inwardly at this sight; for he read upon the
countenance of the monk that he was imploring the Mother of God to assist
him in the great enterprise which his abbot had intrusted him with, and
likewise to save him from all danger. This monk was Faber Vesois,
confessor of the king's brother. The Devil did not disturb him in his
pious meditations, but went on to the castle with Faustus. They were
received with all the respect generally shown to persons of distinction
who come to visit a prince. The duke passed his days here in the company
of his beloved Monserau, thinking of no harm, and expecting no
misfortune. His agreeable manners soon gained him the good-will of
Faustus, who was delighted to see a scion of royalty think and act like a
man; for he had been accustomed to see among the German princes nothing
but pride, coldness, and that foolish ceremony which is only intended to
make visitors appear contemptible in their own eyes. Some days were very
pleasantly spent in hunting and other amusements, and the prince gained
more and more upon the hear