e particulars of the affair: how he had come
into the world, and married, and run away. He next described to his
preserver the way in which he might become rich, which was briefly as
follows: As soon as Matteo should hear of some lady in the
neighbourhood being said to be possessed, he was to conclude that it
was Roderigo himself who had taken possession of her; and he gave him
his word, at the same time, that he would never leave her until Matteo
should come and conjure him to depart. In this way he might obtain
what sum he pleased from the lady's friends for the price of
exorcizing her; and having mutually agreed upon this plan, Roderigo
disappeared.

Not many days elapsed before it was reported in Florence that the
daughter of Messer Ambrogio Amedei, a lady married to Buonajuto
Tebalducci, was possessed by the devil. Her relations did not fail to
apply every means usual on such occasions to expel him, such as making
her wear upon her head St. Zanobi's cap, and the cloak of St. John of
Gualberto; but these had only the effect of making Roderigo laugh. And
to convince them that it was really a spirit that possessed her, and
that it was no flight of the imagination, he made the young lady talk
Latin, hold a philosophical dispute, and reveal the frailties of many
of her acquaintance. He particularly accused a certain friar of having
introduced a lady into his monastery in male attire, to the no small
scandal of all who heard it, and the astonishment of the brotherhood.
Messer Ambrogio found it impossible to silence him, and began to
despair of his daughter's cure. But the news reaching Matteo, he lost
no time in waiting upon Ambrogio, assuring him of his daughter's
recovery on condition of his paying him five hundred florins, with
which to purchase a farm at Peretola. To this Messer Ambrogio
consented; and Matteo immediately ordered a number of masses to be
said, after which he proceeded with some unmeaning ceremonies
calculated to give solemnity to his task. Then approaching the young
lady, he whispered in her ear: "Roderigo, it is Matteo that is come.
So do as we agreed upon, and get out." Roderigo replied: "It is all
well; but you have not asked enough to make you a rich man. So when I
depart I will take possession of the daughter of Charles, king of
Naples, and I will not leave her till you come. You may then demand
whatever you please for your reward; and mind that you never trouble
me again." And when he had said