Methinks the Devil cannot be far off." Nor was he.
He was very near.
He had looked over the Chaplain's shoulder as he made his false obeisance in the doorway.
But he liked not the pure white of the Knight's dress, and he feared the clear light in the Prelate's eyes.

So, when the Chaplain closed the door, the Devil stayed on the outside, and now walked beside the Chaplain along the passage leading to his cell.
There is no surer way of securing the company of the Devil, than to make sure he is at that moment busy with another--particularly if that other chance to be the most saintly man you know, and merely displeasing to you, at the moment, because he hath not bidden you to sup with him.

The Devil and the Chaplain made a night of it.
The Bishop's gentle "_Benedicite_" spread white wings and flew, like an affrighted dove, over the head of the bowing Chaplain, into the chill passage beyond.
But, just as the great door was closing, it darted in again, circled round the banqueting hall, and came back to rest in the safe nest of the kindly heart which had sent it forth.
No blessing, truly vitalised, ever ceases to live.

If the blessed be unworthy, it returns on swift wing to the blesser..