I could but signify our acquiescence. 🔊 Berthe had appeared at the kitchen door, thinking the stranger wanted his bill. 🔊 He waved her away with his cigar, and in another moment had seated himself beside me, commanding a full view of Soames. 🔊

"Though not an Englishman," he explained, "I know my London well, Mr. Soames. 🔊 Your name and fame—Mr. 🔊 Beerbohm's, too—very known to me. 🔊

Your point is, who am I?" 🔊 He glanced quickly over his shoulder, and in a lowered voice said, "I am the devil." 🔊

I couldn't help it; I laughed. 🔊 I tried not to, I knew there was nothing to laugh at, my rudeness shamed me; but—I laughed with increasing volume. 🔊 The devil's quiet dignity, the surprise and disgust of his raised eyebrows, did but the more dissolve me. 🔊 I rocked to and fro; I lay back aching; I behaved deplorably. 🔊

"I am a gentleman, and," he said with intense emphasis, "I thought I was in the company of gentlement." 🔊

"Don't!" I gasped faintly. 🔊 "Oh, don't!" 🔊

"Curious, nicht wahr?" 🔊 I heard him say to Soames. 🔊 "There is a type of person to whom the very mention of my name is—oh, so awfully—funny! 🔊 In your theaters the dullest comedien needs only to say 'The devil!' and right away they give him 'the loud laugh what speaks the vacant mind.' Is it not so?" 🔊