"And what happened to old Le Prun?"
"When they returned from one of their drives, taken, Heaven bless us! for the purpose of consulting the Evil One, so to speak, face to face, they found old Le Prun quite dead, sitting back in his wonted attitude, and with his arm slung in the embroidered strap."
"And what has become of the wonderful coach?"
"That I have never heard; but they say that Monsieur Le Prun, the fermier-general, has it in one of his houses, either in the country or in Paris, and that, whenever he wants to consult the familiar demon of the family, he takes a drive in it alone; and this, they say, has been the cause of his great successes and his enormous fortune."
"I should like to ride in that coach myself," said Lucille.
"Heaven and all the saints forbid!"
"I want to know my destiny, Marguerite. Were I sure that all my days were to pass as at present, I would rather die than live."
"Oh, but sure my pretty bird would not ask her fortune of—of—"
"Yes, of any one—of any spirit, good or evil, that could tell it. I am weary of my life, Marguerite. I would rather beg or work with my liberty, and the friends I like, than see my days glide by in this dull, wealthy house, without interest, or hope, or—or love."
"But never desire, while you live, my child, the visits of the Evil One. Once asked for, it is said he never refuses them."