Itwasnotverylongbeforethenameofthemagicianwhohadworkedthiswonderbegantobementionedquiteopenly:Satan，itwassaid，haddrawnUrbainGrandierintohispower，throughhispride。UrbainhadenteredintoapactwiththeEvilSpiritbywhichhehadsoldhimhissoulinreturnforbeingmadethemostlearnedmanonearth。Now，asUrbain'sknowledgewasmuchgreaterthanthatoftheinhabitantsofLoudun，thisstorygainedgeneralcredenceinthetown，althoughhereandtherewastobefoundamansufficientlyenlightenedtoshrughisshouldersattheseabsurdities，andtolaughatthemummeries，ofwhichasyethesawonlytheridiculousside，ForthenexttenortwelvedaysMignonandBarrespentthegreaterpartoftheirtimeattheconvent；sometimesremainingthereforsixhoursatastretch，sometimestheentireday。
Atlength，onMonday，the11thofOctober，1632，theywrotetothepriestofVenier，toMessireGuillaumeCerisaydelaGueriniere，bailiffoftheLoudenois，andtoMessireLouisChauvet，civillieutenant，beggingthemtovisittheUrsulineconvent，inordertoexaminetwonunswhowerepossessedbyevilspirits，andtoverifythestrangeandalmostincrediblemanifestationsofthispossession。Beingthusformallyappealedto，thetwomagistratescouldnotavoidcompliancewiththerequest。Itmustbeconfessedthattheywerenotfreefromcuriosity，andfeltfarfromsorryatbeingabletogettothebottomofthemysteryofwhichforsometimethewholetownwastalking。
Theyrepaired，therefore，totheconvent，intendingtomakeathoroughinvestigationastotherealityofthepossessionandastotheefficacyoftheexorcismsemployed。Shouldtheyjudgethatthenunswerereallypossessed，andthatthosewhotriedtodeliverthemwereinearnest，theywouldauthorisethecontinuationoftheeffortsatexorcism；butiftheywerenotsatisfiedonthesetwopoints，theywouldsoonputanendtothewholethingasacomedy。Whentheyreachedthedoor，Mignon，wearingalbandstole，cametomeetthem。Hetoldthemthatthefeelingsofthenunshadformorethantwoweeksbeenharrowedbytheapparitionofspectresandotherblood-curdlingvisions，thatthemothersuperiorandtwonunshadevidentlybeenpossessedbyevilspiritsforoveraweek；thatowingtotheeffortsofBarreandsameCarmelitefriarswhoweregoodenoughtoassisthimagainsttheircommonenemies，thedevilshadbeentemporarilydrivenout，butonthepreviousSundaynight，the10thofOctober，themothersuperior，JeannedeBelfield，whoseconventualnamewasJeannedesAnges，andalaysistercalledJeanneDumagnoux，hadagainbeenenteredintobythesamespirits。Ithad，however，beendiscoveredbymeansofexorcismsthatanewcompact，ofwhichthesymbolandtokenwasabunchofroses，hadbeenconcluded，thesymbolandtokenofthefirsthavingbeenthreeblackthorns。Headdedthatduringthetimeofthefirstpossessionthedemonshadrefusedtogivetheirnames，butbythepowerofhisexorcismsthisreluctancehadbeenovercome，thespiritwhichhadresumedpossessionofthemothersuperiorhavingatlengthrevealedthatitsnamewasAshtaroth，oneofthegreatestenemiesofGod，whilethedevilwhichhadenteredintothelaysisterwasofalowerorder，andwascalledSabulon。Unfortunately，continuedMignon，justnowthetwoafflictednunswereresting，andherequestedthebailiffandthecivillieutenanttoputofftheirinspectiontillalittlelater。Thetwomagistrateswerejustabouttogoaway，whenanunappeared，sayingthatthedevilswereagaindoingtheirworstwiththetwointowhomtheyhadentered。
Consequently，theyaccompaniedMignonandthepriestfromVeniertoanupperroom，inwhichweresevennarrowbeds，ofwhichtwoonlywereoccupied，onebythemothersuperiorandtheotherbythelaysister。Thesuperior，whowasthemorethoroughlypossessedofthetwo，wassurroundedbytheCarmelitemonks，thesistersbelongingtotheconvent，MathurinRousseau，priestandcanonofSainte-Croix，andMannouri，asurgeonfromthetown。
Nosoonerdidthetwomagistratesjointheothersthanthesuperiorwasseizedwithviolentconvulsions，writhingandutteringsquealsinexactimitationofasuckingpig。Thetwomagistrateslookedoninprofoundastonishment，whichwasgreatlyincreasedwhentheysawthepatientnowburyherselfinherbed，nowspringrightoutofit，thewholeperformancebeingaccompaniedbysuchdiabolicalgesturesandgrimacesthat，iftheywerenotquiteconvincedthatthepossessionwasgenuine，theywereatleastfilledwithadmirationofthemannerinwhichitwassimulated。Mignonnextinformedthebailiffandthecivillieutenant，thatalthoughthesuperiorhadneverlearnedLatinshewouldreplyinthatlanguagetoallthequestionsaddressedtoher，ifsuchweretheirdesire。Themagistratesansweredthatastheywerethereinordertoexaminethoroughlyintothefactsofthecase，theybeggedtheexorciststogivethemeverypossibleproofthatthepossessionwasreal。Uponthis，Mignonapproachedthemothersuperior，and，havingorderedeveryonetobesilent，placedtwoofhisfingersinhermouth，and，havinggonethroughtheformofexorcismprescribedbytheritual，heaskedthefollowingquestionswordforwordastheyaregiven，D。Whyhaveyouenteredintothebodyofthisyounggirl？
Asthepatientpronouncedthelastwordsherecoveredhersenses，andhavingrepeatedaprayer，attemptedtoswallowamorselofbreadwhichwasofferedher；shewas，however，obligedtospititout，sayingitwassodryshecouldnotgetitdown。
Somethingmoreliquidwasthenbrought，butevenofthatshecouldswallowverylittle，asshefellintoconvulsionseveryfewminutes。
Uponthisthetwoofficials，seeingtherewasnothingmoretobegotoutofthesuperior，withdrewtooneofthewindowrecessesandbegantoconverseinalowtone；whereuponMignon，whofearedthattheyhadnotbeensufficientlyimpressed，followedthem，anddrewtheirattentiontothefactthattherewasmuchinwhattheyhadjustseentorecallthecaseofGaufredi，whohadbeenputtodeathafewyearsbeforeinconsequenceofadecreeoftheParliamentofAix，inProvence。Thisill-judgedremarkofMignonshowedsoclearlywhathisaimwasthatthemagistratesmadenoreply。ThecivillieutenantremarkedthathehadbeensurprisedthatMignonhadnotmadeanyattempttofindoutthecauseoftheenmityofwhichthesuperiorhadspoken，andwhichitwassoimportanttofindout；butMignonexcusedhimselfbysayingthathehadnorighttoputquestionsmerelytogratifycuriosity。Thecivillieutenantwasabouttoinsistonthematterbeinginvestigated，whenthelaysisterinherturnwentintoafit，thusextricatingMignonfromhisembarrassment。Themagistratesapproachedthelaysister'sbedatonce，anddirectedMignontoputthesamequestionstoherastothesuperior:hedidso，butallinvain；allshewouldreplywas，"Totheother!Totheother!"
Mignonexplainedthisrefusaltoanswerbysayingthattheevilspiritwhichwasinherwasofaninferiororder，andreferredallquestionerstoAshtaroth，whowashissuperior。Asthiswastheonlyexplanation，goodorbad，offeredthembyMignon，themagistrateswentaway，anddrewupareportofalltheyhadseenandheardwithoutcomment，merelyappendingtheirsignatures。
Butinthetownveryfewpeopleshowedthesamediscretionandreticenceasthemagistrates。Thebigotedbelieved，thehypocritespretendedtobelieve；andtheworldly-minded，whowerenumerous，discussedthedoctrineofpossessioninallitsphases，andmadenosecretoftheirownentireincredulity。Theywondered，andnotwithoutreasonitmustbeconfessed，whathadinducedthedevilstogooutofthenuns'bodiesfortwodaysonly，andthencomebackandresumepossession，totheconfusionoftheexorcists；further，theywantedtoknowwhythemothersuperior'sdevilspokeLatin，whilethelaysister'swasignorantofthattongue；forameredifferenceofrankinthehierarchyofhelldidnotseemasufficientexplanationofsuchadifferenceineducation。
Mignon'srefusaltogoonwithhisinterrogationsastothecauseoftheenmitymadethem，theysaid，suspectthat，knowinghehadreachedtheendofAshtaroth'sclassicalknowledge，hefeltituselesstotrytocontinuethedialogueintheCiceronianidiom。Moreover，itwaswellknownthatonlyafewdaysbeforeallUrbain'sworstenemieshadmetinconclaveinthevillageofPuidardane；andbesides，howstupidlyMignonhadshownhishandbymentioningGaufredi，thepriestwhohadbeenexecutedatAix:lastly，whyhadnotadesireforimpartialitybeenshownbycallinginotherthanCarmelitemonkstobepresentattheexorcism，thatorderhavingaprivatequarrelwithGrandier？Itmustbeadmittedthatthiswayoflookingatthecasewasnotwantinginshrewdness。
Onthefollowingday，October12th，thebailiffandthecivillieutenant，havingheardthatexorcismshadbeenagaintriedwithouttheirhavingbeeninformedbeforehand，requestedacertainCanonRousseautoaccompanythem，andsetoutwithhimandtheirclerkfortheconvent。Onarriving，theyaskedforMignon，andonhisappearancetheytoldhimthatthismatterofexorcismwasofsuchimportancethatnofurtherstepsweretobetakeninitwithouttheauthoritiesbeingpresent，andthatinfuturetheyweretobegiventimelynoticeofeveryattempttogetridoftheevilspirits。TheyaddedthatthiswasallthemorenecessaryasMignon'spositionasdirectorofthesisterhoodandhiswell-knownhateforGrandierwoulddrawsuspicionsonhimunworthyofhiscloth，suspicionswhichheoughttobethefirsttowishtoseedissipated，andthatquickly；
andthat，therefore，theworkwhichhehadsopiouslybegunwouldbecompletedbyexorcistsappointedbythecourt。
Mignonrepliedthat，thoughhehadnottheslightestobjectiontothemagistratesbeingpresentatalltheexorcisms，yethecouldnotpromisethatthespiritswouldreplytoanyoneexcepthimselfandBarre。
JustatthatmomentBarrecameonthescene，palerandmoregloomythanever，andspeakingwiththeairofamanwhosewordnoonecouldhelpbelieving，heannouncedthatbeforetheirarrivalsomemostextraordinarythingshadtakenplace。Themagistratesaskedwhatthings，andBarrerepliedthathehadlearnedfromthemothersuperiorthatshewaspossessed，notbyone，butbysevendevils，ofwhomAshtarothwasthechief；thatGrandierhadentrustedhispactwiththedevil，underthesymbolofabunchofroses，toacertainJeanPivart，togivetoagirlwhohadintroduceditintotheconventgardenbythrowingitoverthewall；thatthistookplaceinthenightbetweenSaturdayandSunday"horasecundanocturna"twohoursaftermidnight；thatthoseweretheverywordsthesuperiorhadused，butthatwhileshereadilynamedPivart，sheabsolutelyrefusedtogivethenameofthegirl；thatonaskingwhatPivartwas；shehadreplied，"Paupermagus"apoormagician；thathethenhadpressedherastothewordmagus，andthatshehadreplied"Magicianusetcivis"magicianandcitizen；andthatjustasshesaidthosewordsthemagistrateshadarrived，andhehadaskednomorequestions。
Thetwoofficialslistenedtothisinformationwiththeseriousnessbefittingmenentrustedwithhighjudicialfunctions，andannouncedtothetwoprieststhattheyproposedtovisitthepossessedwomenandwitnessforthemselvesthemiraclesthatweretakingplace。Theclericsofferednoopposition，butsaidtheyfearedthatthedevilswerefatiguedandwouldrefusetoreply；and，infact，whentheofficialsreachedthesickroomthetwopatientsappearedtohaveregainedsomedegreeofcalm。Mignontookadvantageofthisquietmomenttosaymass，towhichthetwomagistrateslisteneddevoutlyandtranquilly，andwhilethesacrificewasbeingofferedthedemonsdidnotdaretomove。ItwasexpectedthattheywouldoffersomeoppositionattheelevationoftheHost，buteverythingpassedoffwithoutdisturbance，onlythelaysister'shandsandfeettwitchedagreatdeal；andthiswastheonlyfactwhichthemagistratesthoughtworthyofmentionintheirreportforthatmorning。Barreassuredthem，however，thatiftheywouldreturnaboutthreeo'clockthedevilswouldprobablyhaverecoveredsufficientlyfromtheirfatiguetogiveasecondperformance。
Asthetwogentlemenhaddeterminedtoseetheaffairtotheend，theyreturnedtotheconventatthehournamed，accompaniedbyMessireIreneedeSainte-Marthe，sieurDeshurneaux；andfoundtheroominwhichthepossessedwerelyingfullofcuriousspectators；
fortheexorcistshadbeentrueprophets——thedevilswereatworkagain。
Thesuperior，asalways，wasthemoretormentedofthetwo，aswasonlytobeexpected，shehavingsevendevilsinherallatonce；shewasterriblyconvulsed，andwaswrithingandfoamingatthemouthasifsheweremad。Noonecouldlongcontinueinsuchaconditionwithoutseriousinjurytohealth；Barrethereforeaskedthedevil-in-
chiefhowsoonhewouldcomeout。"Crasmane"To-morrowmorning，hereplied。Theexorcistthentriedtohurryhim，askinghimwhyhewouldnotcomeoutatonce；whereuponthesuperiormurmuredtheword"Pactum"Apact；andthen"Sacerdos"Apriest，andfinally"Finis，"or"Finit，"foreventhosenearestcouldnotcatchtheworddistinctly，asthedevil，afraiddoubtlessofperpetratingabarbarism，spokethroughthenun'scloselyclenchedteeth。
Thisbeingalldecidedlyunsatisfying，themagistratesinsistedthattheexaminationshouldcontinue，butthedevilshadagainexhaustedthemselves，andrefusedtoutteranotherword。Thepriesteventriedtouchingthesuperior'sheadwiththepyx，whileprayersandlitanieswererecited，butitwasallinvain，exceptthatsomeofthespectatorsthoughtthatthecontortionsofthepatientbecamemoreviolentwhentheintercessionsofcertainsaintswereinvoked，asforinstanceSaintsAugustineJerome，Antony，andMaryMagdalene。BarrenextdirectedthemothersuperiortodedicateherheartandsoultoGod，whichshedidwithoutdifficulty；butwhenhecommandedhertodedicateherbodyalso，thechiefdevilindicatedbyfreshconvulsionsthathewasnotgoingtoallowhimselftobedeprivedofadomicilewithoutresistance，andmadethosewhohadheardhimsaythathewouldleavethenextmorningfeelthathehadonlysaidsoundercompulsion；andtheircuriosityastotheresultbecameheightened。Atlength，however，despitetheobstinateresistanceofthedemon。
thesuperiorsucceededindedicatingherbodyalsotoGod，andthusvictoriousherfeaturesresumedtheirusualexpression，andsmilingasifnothinghadhappened，sheturnedtoBarreandsaidthattherewasnovestigeofSatanleftinher。Thecivillieutenantthenaskedherifsherememberedthequestionsshehadbeenaskedandtheanswersshehadgiven，butsherepliedthatsherememberednothing；
butafterwards，havingtakensomerefreshment，shesaidtothosearoundherthatsherecollectedperfectlyhowthefirstpossession，overwhichMignonhadtriumphed，hadtakenplace:oneeveningaboutteno'clock，whileseveralnunswerestillinherroom，althoughshewasalreadyinbed，itseemedtoherthatsomeonetookherhandandlaidsomethinginit，closingherfingers；atthatinstantshefeltasharppainasifshehadbeenprickedbythreepins，andhearingherscream，thenunscametoherbedsidetoaskwhatailedher。Sheheldoutherhand，andtheyfoundthreeblackthornsstickinginit，eachhavingmadeatinywound。Justasshehadtoldthistale，thelaysister，asiftopreventallcommentary，wasseizedwithconvulsions，andBarrerecommencedhisprayersandexorcisms，butwassooninterruptedbyshrieks；foroneofthepersonspresenthadseenablackcatcomedownthechimneyanddisappear。Instantlyeveryoneconcludeditmustbethedevil，andbegantoseekitout。Itwasnotwithoutgreatdifficultythatitwascaught；for，terrifiedatthesightofsomanypeopleandatthenoise，thepooranimalhadsoughtrefugeunderacanopy；butatlastitwassecuredandcarriedtothesuperior'sbedside，whereBarrebeganhisexorcismsoncemore，coveringthecatwithsignsofthecross，andadjuringthedeviltotakehistrueshape。Suddenlythe'touriere'，thewomanwhoreceivedthetradespeople，cameforward，declaringthesupposeddeviltobeonlyhercat，andsheimmediatelytookpossessionofit，lestsomeharmshouldhappentoit。
Thegatheringhadbeenjustabouttoseparate，butBarryfearingthattheincidentofthecatmightthrowaridiculouslightupontheevilspirits，resolvedtoawakeoncemoreasalutaryterrorbyannouncingthathewasgoingtoburntheflowersthroughwhichthesecondspellhadbeenmadetowork。Producingabunchofwhiteroses，alreadyfaded，heorderedalightedbraziertobebrought。Hethenthrewtheflowersontheglowingcharcoal，andtothegeneralastonishmenttheywereconsumedwithoutanyvisibleeffect:theheavensstillsmiled，nopealofthunderwasheard，andnounpleasantodourdiffuseditselfthroughtheroom。Barrefeelingthatthebaldnessofthisactofdestructionhadhadabadeffect，predictedthatthemorrowwouldbringforthwondrousthings；thatthechiefdevilwouldspeakmoredistinctlythanhitherto；thathewouldleavethebodyofthesuperior，givingsuchclearsignsofhispassagethatnoonewoulddaretodoubtanylongerthatitwasacaseofgenuinepossession。
Thereuponthecriminallieutenant，HenriHerve，whohadbeenpresentduringtheexorcism，saidtheymustseizeuponthemomentofhisexittoaskaboutPivart，whowasunknownatLoudun，althougheveryonewholivedtherekneweverybodyelse。BarrerepliedinLatin，"Ethocdicetepuellamnominabit"Hewillnotonlytellabouthim，buthewillalsonametheyounggirl。Theyounggirlwhomthedevilwastonamewas，itmayberecollected，shewhohadintroducedtheflowersintotheconvent，andwhosenamethedemonuntilnowhadabsolutelyrefusedtogive。Onthestrengthofthesepromiseseveryonewenthometoawaitthemorrowwithimpatience。
CHAPTERIV
ThateveningGrandieraskedthebailiffforanaudience。Atfirsthehadmadefunoftheexorcisms，forthestoryhadbeensobadlyconcocted，andtheaccusationsweresoglaringlyimprobable，thathehadnotfelttheleastanxiety。Butasthecasewentonitassumedsuchanimportantaspect，andthehatreddisplayedbyhisenemieswassointense，thatthefateofthepriestGaufredi，referredtobyMignon，occurredtoUrbain'smind，andinordertobebeforehandwithhisenemieshedeterminedtolodgeacomplaintagainstthem。ThiscomplaintwasfoundedonthefactthatMignonhadperformedtheriteofexorcisminthepresenceofthecivillieutenant，thebailiff，andmanyotherpersons，andhadcausedthenunswhoweresaidtobepossessed，inthehearingofallthesepeople，tonamehim，Urbain，astheauthoroftheirpossession。Thisbeingafalsehoodandanattackuponhishonour，hebeggedthebailiff，inwhosehandstheconductoftheaffairhadbeenspeciallyplaced，toorderthenunstobesequestered，apartfromtherestofthesisterhoodandfromeachother，andthentohaveeachseparatelyexamined。Shouldthereappeartobeanyevidenceofpossession，hehopedthatthebailiffwouldbepleasedtoappointclericsofwell-knownrankanduprightcharactertoperformwhateverexorcismswereneedful；suchmenhavingnobiasagainsthimwouldbemoreimpartialthanMignonandhisadherents。Healsocalleduponthebailifftohaveanexactreportdrawnupofeverythingthattookplaceattheexorcisms，inorderthat，ifnecessary，heaspetitionermightbeabletolayitbeforeanyonetowhosejudgmenthemightappeal。ThebailiffgaveGrandierastatementoftheconclusionsatwhichhehadarrived，andtoldhimthattheexorcismshadbeenperformedthatdaybyBarre，armedwiththeauthorityoftheBishopofPoitiershimself。Being，aswehaveseen，amanofcommonsenseandentirelyunprejudicedinthematter，thebailiffadvisedGrandiertolayhiscomplaintbeforehisbishop；
butunfortunatelyhewasundertheauthorityoftheBishopofPoitiers，whowassoprejudicedagainsthimthathehaddoneeverythinginhispowertoinducetheArchbishopofBordeauxtorefusetoratifythedecisioninfavourofGrandier，pronouncedbythepresidialcourt。Urbaincouldnothidefromthemagistratethathehadnothingtohopeforfromthisquarter，anditwasdecidedthatheshouldwaitandseewhatthemorrowwouldbringforth，beforetakinganyfurtherstep。
Theimpatientlyexpecteddaydawnedatlast，andateighto'clockinthemorningthebailiff，theking'sattorney，thecivillieutenant，thecriminallieutenant，andtheprovost'slieutenant，withtheirrespectiveclerks，werealreadyattheconvent。Theyfoundtheoutergateopen，buttheinnerdoorshut。InafewmomentsMignoncametothemandbroughtthemintoawaiting-room。Therehetoldthemthatthenunswerepreparingforcommunion，andthathewouldbeverymuchobligedtothemiftheywouldwithdrawandwaitinahouseacrossthestreet，justoppositetheconvent，andthathewouldsendthemwordwhentheycouldcomeback。Themagistrates，havingfirstinformedMignonofUrbain'spetition，retiredasrequested。
Anhourpassed，andasMignondidnotsummonthem，inspiteofhispromise，theyallwenttogethertotheconventchapel，wheretheyweretoldtheexorcismswerealreadyover。Thenunshadquittedthechoir，andMignonandBarrecametothegratingandtoldthemthattheyhadjustcompletedtherite，andthat，thankstotheirconjurations，thetwoafflictedoneswerenowquitefreefromevilspirits。Theywentontosaythattheyhadbeenworkingtogetherattheexorcismfromseveno'clockinthemorning，andthatgreatwonders，ofwhichtheyhaddrawnupanaccount，hadcometopass；buttheyhadconsidereditwouldnotbepropertoallowanyoneelsetobepresentduringtheceremonybesidestheexorcistsandthepossessed。Thebailiffpointedoutthattheirmannerofproceedingswasnotonlyillegal，butthatitlaidthemundersuspicionoffraudandcollusion，intheeyesoftheimpartial:Moreover，asthesuperiorhadaccusedGrandierpublicly，shewasboundtorenewandproveheraccusationalsopublicly，andnotinsecret；furthermore，itwasagreatpieceofinsolenceonthepartoftheexorciststoinvitepeopleoftheirstandingandcharactertocometotheconvent，andhavingkeptthemwaitinganhour，totellthemthattheyconsideredthemunworthytobeadmittedtotheceremonywhichthey。
hadbeenrequestedtoattend；andhewoundupbysayingthathewoulddrawupareport，ashehadalreadydoneoneachoftheprecedingdays，settingforththeextraordinarydiscrepancybetweentheirpromisesandtheirperformance。MignonrepliedthatheandBarrehadhadonlyonethinginview，viz。theexpulsionofthe，demons，andthatinthattheyhadsucceeded，andthattheirsuccesswouldbeofgreatbenefittotheholyCatholicfaith，fortheyhadgotthedemonssothoroughlyintotheirpowerthattheyhadbeenabletocommandthemtoproducewithinaweekmiraculousproofsofthespellscastonthenunsbyUrbainGrandierandtheirwonderfuldeliverancetherefrom；sothatinfuturenoonewouldbeabletodoubtastotherealityofthepossession。Thereuponthemagistratesdrewupareportofallthathadhappened，andofwhatBarreandMignonhadsaid。Thiswassignedbyalltheofficialspresent，exceptthecriminallieutenant，whodeclaredthat，havingperfectconfidenceinthestatementsoftheexorcists，hewasanxioustodonothingtoincreasethedoubtingspiritwhichwasunhappilysoprevalentamongtheworldly。
ThesamedaythebailiffsecretlywarnedUrbainoftherefusalofthecriminallieutenanttojoinwiththeothersinsigningthereport，andalmostatthesamemomenthelearnedthatthecauseofhisadversarieswasstrengthenedbytheadhesionofacertainMessireReneMemin，seigneurdeSilly，andprefectofthetown。Thisgentlemanwasheldingreatesteemnotonlyonaccountofhiswealthandthemanyofficeswhichhefilled，butaboveallonaccountofhispowerfulfriends，amongwhomwasthecardinal-dukehimself，towhomhehadformerlybeenofusewhenthecardinalwasonlyaprior。ThecharacteroftheconspiracyhadnowbecomesoalarmingthatGrandierfeltitwastimetoopposeitwithallhisstrength。Recallinghisconversationwiththebailifftheprecedingday，duringwhichhehadadvisedhimtolayhiscomplaintbeforetheBishopofPoitiers，hesetout，accompaniedbyapriestofLoudun，namedJeanBuron，fortheprelate'scountryhouseatDissay。Thebishop，anticipatinghisvisit，hadalreadygivenhisorders，andGrandierwasmetbyDupuis，theintendantofthepalace，who，inreplytoGrandier'srequesttoseethebishop，toldhimthathislordshipwasill。Urbainnextaddressedhimselftothebishop'schaplain，andbeggedhimtoinformtheprelatethathisobjectincomingwastolaybeforehimtheofficialreportswhichthemagistrateshaddrawnupoftheeventswhichhadtakenplaceattheUrsulineconvent，andtolodgeacomplaintastotheslandersandaccusationsofwhichhewasthevictim。Grandierspokesourgentlythatthechaplaincouldnotrefusetocarryhismessage；hereturned，however，inafewmoments，andtoldGrandier，inthepresenceofDupuis，Buron，andacertainsieurLabrasse，thatthebishopadvisedhimtotakehiscasetotheroyaljudges，andthatheearnestlyhopedhewouldobtainjusticefromthem。Grandierperceivedthatthebishophadbeenwarnedagainsthim，andfeltthathewasbecomingmoreandmoreentangledinthenetofconspiracyaroundhim；buthewasnotamantoflinchbeforeanydanger。HethereforereturnedimmediatelytoLoudun，andwentoncemoretothebailiff，towhomherelatedallthathadhappenedatDissay；hethen，asecondtime，madeaformalcomplaintastotheslanderscirculatedwithregardtohim，andbeggedthemagistratestohaverecoursetotheking'scourtsinthebusiness。
Healsosaidthathedesiredtobeplacedundertheprotectionofthekingandhisjustice，astheaccusationsmadeagainsthimwereaimedathishonourandhislife。ThebailiffhastenedtomakeoutacertificateofUrbain'sprotest，whichforbadeatthesametimetherepetitionoftheslandersortheinflictiononUrbainofanyinjury。
Thankstothisdocument，achangeofpartstookplace:Mignon，theaccuser，becametheaccused。Feelingthathehadpowerfulsupportbehindhim，hehadtheaudacitytoappearbeforethebailiffthesameday。Hesaidthathedidnotacknowledgehisjurisdiction，asinwhatconcernedGrandierandhimself，theybeingbothpriests，theycouldonlybejudgedbytheirbishop；heneverthelessprotestedagainstthecomplaintlodgedbyGrandier，whichcharacterisedhimasaslanderer，anddeclaredthathewasreadytogivehimselfupasaprisoner，inordertoshoweveryonethathedidnotfeartheresultofanyinquiry。Furthermore，hehadtakenanoathonthesacredelementsthedaybefore，inthepresenceofhisparishionerswhohadcometomass，thatinallhehadhithertodonehehadbeenmoved，notbyhatredofGrandier，butbyloveofthetruth，andbyhisdesireforthetriumphoftheCatholicfaith；andheinsistedthatthebailiffshouldgivehimacertificateofhisdeclaration，andservednoticeofthesameonGrandierthatveryday。
CHAPTERV
SinceOctober13th，thedayonwhichthedemonshadbeenexpelled，lifeattheconventseemedtohavereturnedtoitsusualquiet；butGrandierdidnotlethimselfbelulledtosleepbythecalm:heknewthosewithwhomhewascontendingtoowelltoimagineforaninstantthathewouldhearnomoreofthem；andwhenthebailiffexpressedpleasureatthisintervalofrepose，Grandiersaidthatitwouldnotlastlong，asthenunswereonlyconningnewparts，inordertocarryonthedramainamoreeffectivemannerthanever。Andinfact，onNovember22nd，ReneMannouri，surgeontotheconvent，wassenttooneofhiscolleagues，namedGaspardJoubert，tobeghimtocome，bringingsomeofthephysiciansofthetownwithhim，tovisitthetwosisters，whowereagaintormentedbyevilspirits。Mannouri，however，hadgonetothewrongman，forJouberthadafrankandloyalcharacter，andhatedeverythingthatwasunderhand。Beingdeterminedtotakenopartinthebusiness，exceptinapublicandjudicialmanner，heappliedatoncetothebailifftoknowifitwasbyhisordersthathewascalledin。Thebailiffsaiditwasnot，andsummonedMannouribeforehimtoaskhimbywhoseauthorityhehadsentforJoubert。Mannourideclaredthatthe'touriere'hadruninafrighttohishouse，sayingthatthenunshadneverbeenworsepossessedthannow，andthatthedirector，Mignon，beggedhimtocomeatoncetotheconvent，bringingwithhimallthedoctorshecouldfind。
Thebailiff，seeingthatfreshplotsagainstGrandierwerebeingformed，sentforhimandwarnedhimthatBarrehadcomeoverfromChinonthedaybefore，andhadresumedhisexorcismsattheconvent，addingthatitwascurrentlyreportedinthetownthatthemothersuperiorandSisterClairewereagaintormentedbydevils。ThenewsneitherastonishednordiscouragedGrandier，whoreplied，withhisusualsmileofdisdain，thatitwasevidenthisenemieswerehatchingnewplotsagainsthim，andthatashehadinstitutedproceedingsagainstthemfortheformerones，hewouldtakethesamecoursewithregardtothese。Atthesametime，knowinghowimpartialthebailiffwas，hebeggedhimtoaccompanythedoctorsandofficialstotheconvent，andtobepresentattheexorcisms，andshouldanysignofrealpossessionmanifestitself，tosequestertheafflictednunsatonce，andcausethemtobeexaminedbyotherpersonsthanMignonandBarre，whomhehadsuchgoodcausetodistrust。
Thebailiffwrotetotheking'sattorney，who，notwithstandinghisbiasagainstGrandier，wasforcedtoseethattheconclusionsarrivedatwerecorrect，andhavingcertifiedthisinwriting，heatoncesenthisclerktotheconventtoinquireifthesuperiorwerestillpossessed。Incaseofanaffirmativereplybeinggiven，theclerkhadinstructionstowarnMignonandBarrethattheywerenottoundertakeexorcismsunlessinpresenceofthebailiffandofsuchofficialsanddoctorsashemightchoosetobringwithhim，andthattheywoulddisobeyattheirperil；hewasalsototellthemthatGrandier'sdemandstohavethenunssequesteredandotherexorcistscalledinweregranted。
MignonandBarrelistenedwhiletheclerkreadhisinstructions，andthensaidtheyrefusedtorecognisethejurisdictionofthebailiffinthiscase；thattheyhadbeensummonedbythemothersuperiorandSisterClairewhentheirstrangeillnessreturned，anillnesswhichtheywereconvincedwasnothingelsethanpossessionbyevilspirits；
thattheyhadhithertocarriedouttheirexorcismsundertheauthorityofacommissiongiventhembytheBishopofPoitiers；andasthetimeforwhichtheyhadpermissionhadnotyetexpired；theywouldcontinuetoexorciseasoftenasmightbenecessary。Theyhad，however，givennoticetotheworthyprelateofwhatwasgoingon，inorderthathemighteithercomehimselforsendotherexorcistsasbestsuitedhim，sothatavalidopinionastothereality，ofthepossessionmightbeprocured，foruptothepresenttheworldlyandunbelievinghadtakenuponthemselvestodeclareinanoff-handmannerthatthewholeaffairwasamixtureoffraudanddelusion，incontemptofthegloryofGodandtheCatholicreligion。Astotherestofthemessage，theywouldnot，inanywaypreventthebailiffandtheotherofficials，withasmanymedicalmenastheychosetobring，fromseeingthenuns，atleastuntiltheyheardfromthebishop，fromwhomtheyexpectedaletternextday。Butitwasforthenunsthemselvestosaywhetheritwasconvenientforthemtoreceivevisitors；asfarasconcernedthemselves，theydesiredtorenewtheirprotest，anddeclaredtheycouldnotacceptthebailiffastheirjudge，anddidnotthinkthatitcouldbelegalforthemtorefusetoobeyacommandfromtheirecclesiasticalsuperiors，whetherwithrelationtoexorcismoranyotherthingofwhichtheecclesiasticalcourtsproperlytookcognisance。Theclerkbroughtthisanswertothebailiff，andhe，thinkingitwasbettertowaitforthearrivalofthebishoporoffreshordersfromhim，putoffhisvisittotheconventuntilthenextday。Butthenextdaycamewithoutanythingbeingheardoftheprelatehimselforofamessengerfromhim。
Earlyinthemorningthebailiffwenttotheconvent，butwasnotadmitted；hethenwaitedpatientlyuntilnoon，andseeingthatnonewshadarrivedfromDissay，andthattheconventgateswerestillclosedagainsthim，hegrantedasecondpetitionofGrandier's，totheeffectthatByreandMignonshouldbeprohibitedfromquestioningthesuperiorandtheothernunsinamannertendingtoblackenthecharacterofthepetitioneroranyotherperson。NoticeofthisprohibitionwasservedthesamedayonBarreandononenunchosentorepresentthecommunity。Barredidnotpaytheslightestattentiontothisnotice，butkeptonassertingthatthebailiffhadnorighttopreventhisobeyingthecommandsofhisbishop，anddeclaringthathenceforwardhewouldperformallexorcismssolelyunderecclesiasticalsanction，withoutanyreferencetolaypersons，whoseunbeliefandimpatienceimpairedthesolemnitywithwhichsuchritesshouldbeconducted。
Thebestpartofthedayhavinggoneoverwithoutanysignofeitherbishopormessenger，Grandierpresentedanewpetitiontothebailiff。Thebailiffatoncesummonedalltheofficersofthebailiwickandtheattorneysoftheking，inordertolayitbeforethem；buttheking'sattorneysrefusedtoconsiderthematter，declaringupontheirhonourthatalthoughtheydidnotaccuseGrandierofbeingthecause，yettheybelievedthatthenunswereveritablypossessed，beingconvincedbythetestimonyofthedevoutecclesiasticsinwhosepresencetheevilspiritshadcomeout。Thiswasonlytheostensiblereasonfortheirrefusal，therealonebeingthattheadvocatewasarelationofMignon's，andtheattorneyason-
in-lawofTrinquant's，towhoseofficehehadsucceeded。ThusGrandier，againstwhomwerealltheecclesiasticaljudges，begantofeelasifhewerecondemnedbeforehandbythejudgesoftheroyalcourts，forheknewhowveryshortwastheintervalbetweentherecognitionofthepossessionasafactandtherecognitionofhimselfasitsauthor。
Nevertheless，inspiteoftheformaldeclarationsoftheking'sadvocateandattorney，thebailifforderedthesuperiorandthelaysistertoberemovedtohousesintown，eachtobeaccompaniedbyanunascompanion。Duringtheirabsencefromtheconventtheyweretobelookedafterbyexorcists，bywomenofhighcharacterandposition，aswellasbyphysiciansandattendants，allofwhomhehimselfwouldappoint，allothersbeingforbiddenaccesstothenunswithouthispermission。
Theclerkwasagainsenttotheconventwithacopyofthisdecision，butthesuperiorhavinglistenedtothereadingofthedocument，answeredthatinherownnameandthatofthesisterhoodsherefusedtorecognisethejurisdictionofthebailiff；thatshehadalreadyreceiveddirectionsfromtheBishopofPoitiers，dated18thNovember，explainingthemeasureswhichweretobetakeninthematter，andshewouldgladlysendacopyofthesedirectionstothebailiff，topreventhispleadingignoranceofthem；furthermore，shedemurredtotheorderforherremoval，havingvowedtolivealwayssecludedinaconvent，andthatnoonecoulddispenseherfromthisvowbutthebishop。ThisprotesthavingbeenmadeinthepresenceofMadamedeCharnisay，auntoftwoofthenuns，andSurgeonMannouri，whowasrelatedtoanother，theybothunitedindrawingupaprotestagainstviolence，incasethebailiffshouldinsistonhavinghisorderscarriedout，declaringthat，shouldhemaketheattempt，theywouldresisthim，asifhewereamereprivateindividual。Thisdocumentbeingdulysignedandwitnessedwasimmediatelysenttothebailiffbythehandofhisownclerk，whereuponthebailifforderedthatpreparationsshouldbemadewithregardtothesequestration，andannouncedthatthenextday，the24thNovember，hewouldrepairtotheconventandbepresentattheexorcisms。