Were it not rather a boon to him to take from him the root of all evil ?' Most true, vicar.

And yet the devil was at that moment transforming himself into an angel of light for thee.
But the vicar was yet honest.

If he had thought that by cutting off his right hand he could have saved Lancelot's soul (by canonical methods, of course; for who would wish to save souls in any other ?), he would have done it without hesitation.
Again the little fiend whispered,-- 'Unless he comes up to-night he is a ruined man.' A terrible sensation seized him .-- Why should he give the letter to- night?
'You promised,' whispered the inner voice.
'No, I did not promise exactly, in so many words; that is, I only said I would be at home to-night, if God pleased.

And what if God should not please ?--I promised for his good.

What if, on second thoughts, it should be better for him not to keep my promise ?' A moment afterwards, he tossed the temptation from him indignantly: but back it came.