Whereupon the convulsions ceased in the sick maiden's limbs, and she sank down gently on her bed, as a sail falls when the cords are loosed and the wind ceases; and thus she lay for a long time quite still.
After which, she said in her own natural voice—
"Now I see him no more!"
"Who is it that you see no more?" asked the abbess.
Illa.—"The evil spirit, my angel says. He has gone forth from me. Woe, woe, alas!"
Hæc.—"Why dost thou cry, alas, when he has in truth gone out from thee?"
_Illa.—"My angel says, he will first strangle the priest who has cast him forth, then will he return, as it is written in the Scripture (Matt. xi. 24), 'After three days I will return to my house from which I had gone forth.' Ah, look! the good priest is growing pale. But let him be comforted, for he shall have his reward in heaven, as the Lord saith (Matt, v.)."
Hæc.—"But why does the great God permit such power to the devil, if what thou sayest be true?"
Illa is silent.
Hæc.—"Thou art silent; what says thy angel?"