tantly offered to assist him, and laughed
at the pretended delicacy of his sentiments. Faustus owned that it was
repugnant to his feelings to violate the laws of hospitality. The Devil
replied: "Well, Faustus, if you wish to have the gentleman's consent, I
will engage to procure it. For what do you take him?"

_Faustus_. For an honest man.

_Devil_. It is a great pity, O Faustus, that you are so liable to
deception. And so you really believe him to be an honest man! I admit
that all Paris is of the same opinion. What do you think he loves best
in the world?

_Faustus_. His daughter.

_Devil_. I know something which he loves more.

_Faustus_. And what is that?

_Devil_. Gold; and you ought to have seen that long ago. But since I
have been obliged to open to thee the treasures of the earth, and thou
hast had them at thy disposal, thou hast resembled the torrent which
inundates the fields, caring very little where its waters flow, or where
they are received. How much hast thou lost at play with this gentleman?

_Faustus_. Let them reckon who care more for the dross than I.

_Devil_. He who tricked you can tell to a ducat.

_Faustus_. Tricked!

_Devil_. Yes, tricked you. He saw how little you cared for money, and
has made a noble harvest out of you. Think not that the table of this
miser would be so well provided, and that he would be so prodigal of the
richest wines, and that thou wouldst see so many guests around him,
provided thy gold did not work these miracles. At every moment he
trembles lest we should leave his house. I see by thy astonishment that
thou hast been a spendthrift all thy life, and that thou hast never felt
this thirst for gold, which can extinguish all the desires of the heart,
and even the most pressing wants of nature. Follow me, but tread softly.

They descended a staircase, went through several subterranean passages,
and came at last to an iron door. The Devil then said to Faustus: "Look
through the key-hole." Faustus perceived in a vault, illumined by the
feeble light of a lamp, the gentleman seated by the side of a strong-box,
in which were many sacks of money, which he was looking at with
tenderness. He then flung the money he had won from Faustus into another
box, and wept because he saw there was not sufficient to fill it. The
Devil said softly to Faustus: "For the sum which is wanting to fill that
box, he will sell thee his daughter."

Faustus was incre