Send him packing, Miss Marget – there's not victuals enough.«

Before Marget could speak, Satan had the word, and was talking back at Ursula in her own language – which was a surprise for her, and for her mistress, too. He asked –

»Didn't I see you down the road a while ago?«

»Yes, sir.«

»Ah, that pleases me; I see you remember me.«

»Why, of course, sir. Nobody that sees you once can forget you, I reckon. And besides, you are so good, and so – so – so aggravating.«

»Can you keep a secret?«

»I can try, sir. For your goodness, though; not for your aggravatingness.«

He stepped to her and whispered, »I told you it is a Lucky Cat. Don't be troubled – it will provide.«

That sponged the slate of Ursula's feelings clean of its anxieties, and a deep financial joy shone in her eyes. The cat's value was augmenting. It was getting full time for Marget to take some sort of notice of Satan's invitation, and she did it in the best way, the honest way that was natural to her. She said she had little to offer, but that we were welcome if we would share it with her.

We had supper in the kitchen, and Ursula waited at table. A small fish was in the frying-pan, crisp and brown and tempting, and one could see that Marget was not expecting such respectable food as this. Ursula brought it, and Marget divided it between Satan and me, declining to take any of it herself; and was beginning to say she did not care for fish to-day, but she did not finish the remark. It was because she noticed that another fish had appeared in the pan. She looked surprised, but did not say anything. She probably meant to inquire of Ursula about this, later. There were other surprises: flesh, and game, and wines and fruits – things which had been strangers in that house lately; but Marget made no exclamations, and did what she could to look unsurprised, which was human and natural. Satan talked right along, and was entertaining, and made the time pass pleasantly and cheerfully; and although he told a good many lies it was no harm in him, for he was only an angel and did not know any better. They do not know right from wrong; I knew this, because I remembered what he had said about it. He accomplished one thing which I was glad of – he got on the good side of Ursula. He praised her to Marget, confidentially, but speaking just loud enough for Ursula to hear. He said she was a fine woman, and he hoped some day to bring her and his uncle together. Very soon Ursula was mincing and simpering around in a ridiculous girly way, and smoothing out her gown and prinking at herself like a foolish old hen, and all the time pretending she was not hearing what Satan was saying. I was ashamed, for it showed us to be what Satan considered us, a silly race and trivial. Satan said it was time his uncle was married, for he entertained a great deal, and always had company staying with him, and to have a clever woman presiding over the festivities would double the attractions of the place.

»But your uncle is a gentleman, isn't he?« asked Marget.

»Yes,« said Satan, indifferently; »some even call him a Prince, out of compliment, but he is not bigoted; to him personal merit is everything, rank nothing.«

Marget thought he must be a most lovable gentleman and much sought after. Satan said he was; and a great help to the clergy – but for him they would have to go out of business.

My hand was hanging down by my chair; Agnes came along and licked it; by this act a secret was revealed. I started to say »It is all a mistake; this is just a common ordinary cat; the hair-needles on her tongue point inward, not outward.« But the words did not come, because they couldn't. Satan smiled upon me, and I understood. It was as if he had said, »I know your thought, but you will keep it to yourself.«

When it was dark Marget took food and wine and fruit, in a basket, and hurried away to the jail, and Satan and I walked toward my home. I was thinking to myself that I should like to see what the inside of a jail was like; Satan overheard the thought, and the next moment we were in the jail. We were in the torture-chamber, Satan said. The rack was there, and the other instruments, and there was a smoky lantern or two hanging on the walls and helping to make the place look dim and dreadful.