_Abbess_. Then whisper it into my ear. What the Abbess of the Black Nuns could do without endangering her salvation, the Abbess of the White Nuns may do also. _Devil_ (_softly into her ear_). He advised me to contrive so that this dangerous nun should commit the sin of * * * _Abbess_ (_crossing herself_). Blessed Ursula! Why, that is the work of the Devil, and leads directly to hell. _Devil_. Ay, very true, but only the person who commits it; and I was not advising you to do it. Remember, dear sister, you are not to be punished for all the sins which your nuns may choose to commit. _Abbess_. But, in Heaven's name, how did you manage this dangerous affair without being discovered? _Devil_. Oh, my situation was much more difficult than yours, for you are assisted by the report of the dream, which already fills the whole city. Suppose, now, you were to let a man, dressed like the Dominican, slip into Clara's cell, and the signs of the sinful deed were afterwards to appear, would not the whole world say that it was a trick of the arch foe of mankind? Let Satan have the credit of it, and do you remain sitting in your chair, adorned with that dignity which Heaven has been pleased to grant you. I have given you this advice out of friendship, and for your good; you are now at liberty to do as you please. At all events, I will send you some one to-night to personate the Dominican, and he will only have to return if you are too scrupulous. The abbess sat like one amazed, and in her confusion began to tell her Rosary: "_Ave Maria_. It is certainly allying oneself to the Devil. Blessed Ursula, illumine my darkness." She cast her eyes upon the image of the saint. "It would certainly be a great scandal to the convent. _Ave Maria_. But then it would be placed to Satan's account. Perhaps, though, I might be damned for it. _Pater noster_. And am I now to become a servant in the cloister, and in my old days to be tormented by a superior, after I have so long tormented the nuns? This little baggage has already afforded sufficient scandal to the whole town without this. Alas, when I have no longer authority to box the nuns about, how will this and that malignant creature revenge herself upon me! _Ave Maria_. Well, I have made up my mind, and, for the good of the cloister, I will continue abbess the remainder of any days, cost what it will." The Devil applauded her, and the plan was soon arranged. Upon going away the Devil said to Faustus: "Now, what have I done else than ask the pride of this old beldame whether it is better to risk eternal damnation, or to give up that tyrannical power over the poor nuns, which the hand of Death will soon deprive her of?"