sweet, the great
loveliness and kindness of soul it expressed were so deep, that, like
every exquisite beauty, it rayed forth a certain sadness within the
pleasure it gave. It awakened infinite, indistinct emotions of beauty
and perfection--infinite longings.

It's of no use to tell me that such a spirit--she really ought not to
be noted so low down as amongst human beings--that such a spirit could
have been made glad by becoming the yoke-fellow of Hicok-alorum, by
influences exclusively human. No!--I don't believe it--I won't believe
it--it can't be believed. I can't convince you, of course, for you
don't know her; but if you did, along with the rest of the evidence,
and if your knowledge was like mine, that from the testimony of my
own eyes and ears and judgment--you would know, just as I do, that
the doctor's possession of his wife was the key-stone of the arch of
completed proof on which I found my absolute assertion that he had
made that bargain.

He certainly had! A most characteristic transaction too; for while,
after the usual fashion, it was agreed by the "party of the first
part,"--viz., Old Scratch--that Dr. Hicok should succeed in whatever
he undertook during twenty years, and by the party of the second part,
that at the end of that time the D---- should fetch him in manner and
form as is ordinarily provided, yet there was added a peculiar clause.
This was, that, when the time came for the doctor to depart, he should
be left entirely whole and unharmed, in mind, body, and estate,
provided he could put to the Devil three consecutive questions, of
which either one should be such that that cunning spirit could not
solve it on the spot.

So for twenty years Dr. Hicok lived and prospered, and waxed very
great. He did not gain one single pound avoirdupois however, which may
perchance seem strange, but is the most natural thing in the world.
Who ever saw a little, dry, wiry, sandy, freckled man, with white
eyebrows, that did grow fat? And besides, the doctor spent all his
leisure time in hunting up his saving trinity of questions; and hard
study, above all for such a purpose, is as sure an anti-fattener as
Banting.

He knew the Scotch metaphysicians by heart already, _ex-officio_ as it
were; but he very early gave up the idea of trying to fool the Devil
with such mud-pie as that. Yet be it understood, that he found cause
to except Sir William Hamilton from the muddle-headed crew. He chewed
a good while, and