"'Sometimes,' said Gottlieb with a sigh, 'but very seldom. Yesterday he said, "No, I will never go into that hellish kitchen." The angels have nothing to say to evil spirits."'
"'Are you an evil spirit, Gottlieb?'
"'No, no; not I, but——' Here Gottlieb put his fingers on his thick lips with a mysterious air.
"'But who?'
"'He did not reply, but he pointed to his cat stealthily, as if he was afraid of being heard.
"'That is the reason, then, why you call him by that terrible name, Belzebub?'
"'Sh—! That is his name, and he knows it well enough. He has been called so ever since the world began. He will not always bear that name.'
"'Certainly not; he will die.'
"'He will not die—not he—he cannot; and he is sorry for it, for he does not know when he will be pardoned.'
"Here we were interrupted by the coming of Madame Swartz, who was amazed at seeing Gottlieb talk so freely with me. She asked me if I was pleased with him.