I don't know that, Madam, said I, that's as you order it; by the Father's Side, _said I_, I know it will not, but what it may by the Mother's Side, that's a Doubt I can't resolve till the _Devil_ and I talk farther about it.
You and the Devil talk together! _says she_, and looks rufully at me; why do you talk with the _Devil_ then?
Ay, Madam, _says I_, as sure as ever you did your self; besides, said I, can you question that? Pray who am I talking to now?
I think you are mad, _says she_; why you will make _Devils_ of all the Family, it may be, and particularly I must be with Child of a _Devil_, that's certain.
No, Madam, _said I_, 'tis not certain, as I said before, I question it.
Why you say I am the DEVIL, the Child, you know, has always most of the Mother in it, then that must be a Devil too I think, what else can it be, _says she_?
I can't tell that, Madam, _said I_; that's as you agree among your selves, this Kind does not go by Generation; that's a Dispute foreign to the present Purpose.
Then I entred into a Discourse with her of the Ends and Purposes for which the Devil takes up such beautiful Forms as hers, and why it always gave me a Suspicion when I saw a Lady handsomer than ordinary, and set me upon the Search to be satisfied whether she was really a Woman or an _Apparition_? a Lady or a Devil? allowing all along that her being a Devil was quite out of the Question.
Upon that very Foot, she took me up again roundly, and so, _says she_, you are very civil to me through all your Discourse, for I see it ends all in that, and you take it as a thing confest, that I am a Devil! A very pretty piece of good Usage indeed! _says she_; _I thank you for it_.
Nay, Madam, _says I_, do not take it ill of me, for I only discover to you that I knew it; I do not tell it you as a Secret, for you are satisfied of that another way.
Satisfied of what? says she, that I am a Devil? I think the Devil's in you: _And so began to be hot_.
A Devil! yes, Madam, says I, without doubt a meer DEVIL; take it as you please, I can't help that: And so I began to take it ill that she should be disgusted at opening such a well-known Truth to her.
With that she discover'd it all at once, for she turn'd _Fury_, in the very Letter of it; flew out in a Passion, rail'd at me, curst me most heartily, and immediately disappeared; which you know is the particular Mark of a Spirit or Apparition.