result, for our purpose, would be equally favorable and _much the same_.
The new vice I therefore propose is the one to be made out of, and go under
the name of, FASHION."

"There may be something in this conception," said Lucifer, thoughtfully,
after the speaker had closed; "but is it safe against all contingencies?
What if the world should take it into their heads to make it fashionable to
be good?"

"Not the least danger of that," rejoined the other, promptly. "That is a
contingency about as likely to happen as that your highness should turn
Christian," he added, with a sardonic grin.

"You are right," responded Lucifer; "and, as your scheme comes within the
rule, on the score of originality, we will reserve it for consideration."

"My plan," said the next demon who spoke, "consists in inciting man to the
general use of intoxicating drinks, under the plea of taking a social
glass; for, let the use of these become general, and all men were devils
ready made, and---"

"True, most true!" interrupted Lucifer; "but that is not new. That is a
vice I invented myself, as long ago as the time Noah was floating about in
the ark, and the first man I caught with it was the old patriarch himself.
Since then it has been my most profitable agent in the earth, bringing more
recruits to my kingdom than all the other vices put together. But our
present movement was to insure something new. The plan, therefore, does not
come within the rule, and must be set aside."

"The new vice which I propose," said the third demon who came forward, "is