Seventeen abbots have there been of Whalley--the last thou!--but there shall be none more." "It must be the Demon in person that speaks thus to me," cried the abbot, his hair bristling on his head, and a cold perspiration bursting from his pores.
"No matter who I am," replied the other; "I have said I will aid thee on one condition.

It is not much.

Remove thy ban from my wife, and baptise her infant daughter, and I am content.

I would not ask thee for this service, slight though it be, but the poor soul hath set her mind upon it.

Wilt thou do it ?" "No," replied the abbot, shuddering; "I will not baptise a daughter of Satan.