‘Titus came here to write a book on Fuseli, and to enjoy himself.’
‘Titus! I can’t believe you wanted him.’
‘But you do believe I wanted you.’
Rather taken aback she yet answered the Devil honestly.
‘Yes! I do believe you wanted me. Though really I don’t know why you should.’
A slightly malevolent smile crossed the Devil’s face. For some reason or other her modesty seemed to have nettled him.
‘Some people would say that you had flung yourself at my head.’
‘Other people,’ she retorted, ‘would say that you had been going about seeking to devour me.’
‘Exactly. I even roared that night. But you were asleep while I roared. Only the hills heard me triumphing over my spoil.’
Laura said: ‘I wish I could really believe that.’