blissful prospect you do open unto me!"

"I don't know that," said the Saint. "I must remind you that the
dominion of the infernal regions is unalterably attached to the person
of the present Queen thereof. If you part with her you immediately
lose all your authority and possessions. I don't care a brass button
which you do, but you must understand that you cannot eat your cake
and have it too. Good morning!"

Who shall describe the conflict in Lucifer's bosom? If any stronger
passion existed therein at that moment than attachment to Adeliza, it
was aversion to his consort, and the two combined were wellnigh
irresistible. But to disenthrone himself, to descend to the condition
of a poor devil!

Feeling himself incapable of coming to a decision, he sent for Belial,
unfolded the matter, and requested his advice.

"What a shame that our new inspector will not let you marry Adeliza!"
lamented his counsellor. "If you did, my private opinion is that
forty-eight hours afterwards you would care just as much for her as
you do now for Madam Lucifer, neither more nor less. Are your
intentions really honourable?"

"Yes," replied Lucifer, "it is to be a Lucifer match."

"The more fool you," rejoined Belial. "If you tempted her to commit a
sin, she would be yours without any conditions at all."

"Oh, Belial," said Lucifer, "I cannot bring myself to be a tempter of
so much innocence and loveliness."

And he meant what he said.

"Well then, let me try," proposed Belial.

"You?" replied Lucifer contemptuously; "do you imagine that Adeliza
would look at you?"

"Why not?" asked Belial, surveying himself complacently in the glass.

He was humpbacked, squinting, and lame, and his horns stood up under
his wig.

The discussion ended in a wager: after which there was no retreat for
Lucifer.

The infernal Iachimo was introduced to Adeliza as a distinguished
foreigner, and was soon prosecuting his suit with all the success
which Lucifer had predicted. One thing protected while it baffled
him--the entire inability of Adeliza to understand what he meant. At
length he was constrained to make the matter clear by producing an
enormous treasure, which he offered Adeliza in exchange for the
abandonment of her lover.

The tempest of indignation which ensued would have swept away any
ordinary demon, but Belial listened unmoved. When Adeliza had
exhausted herself he smilingly rallied her upon her affection for an
unworthy lover, of wh