Thenextdayaccordingly，attheappointedhour，thebailiffsummonedDanielRoger，VincentdeFaux，GaspardJoubert，andMatthieuFanson，allfourphysicians，tohispresence，andacquaintingthemwithhisreasonsforhavingcalledthem，askedthemtoaccompanyhimtotheconventtoexamine，withthemostscrupulousimpartiality，twonunswhomhewouldpointout，inordertodiscoveriftheirillnesswerefeigned，orarosefromnaturalorsupernaturalcauses。Havingthusinstructedthemastohiswishes，theyallsetoutfortheconvent。
Theywereshownintothechapelandplacedclosetothealtar，beingseparatedbyagratingfromthechoir，inwhichthenunswhosangusuallysat。Inafewmomentsthesuperiorwascarriedinonasmallbed，whichwaslaiddownbeforethegrating。Barrethensaidmass，duringwhichthesuperiorwentintoviolentconvulsions。Shethrewherarmsabout，herfingerswereclenched，hercheeksenormouslyinflated，andhereyesturnedupsothatonlythewhitescouldbeseen。
Themassfinished，Barreapproachedhertoadministertheholycommunionandtocommencetheexorcism。Holdingtheholywaferinhishand，hesaid——
"AdoraDeumtuum，creatoremtuum"AdoreGod，thyCreator。
Thesuperiorhesitated，asifshefoundgreatdifficultyinmakingthisactoflove，butatlengthshesaid——
"Adorote"IadoreThee。
"Quemadoras？"Whomdostthouadore？
"JesusChristus"JesusChrist，answeredthenun，quiteunconsciousthattheverbadorngovernsaccusative。
Thismistake，whichnosixth-formboywouldmake，gaverisetoburstsoflaughterinthechurch；andDanielDouin，theprovost'sassessor，wasconstrainedtosayaloud——
"There'sadevilforyou，whodoesnotknowmuchabouttransitiveverbs。"
Barreperceivingthebadimpressionthatthesuperior'snominativehadmade，hastenedtoaskher——
"Quisestistequemadoras？"Whoisitwhomthoudostadore？
Hishopewasthatshewouldagainreply"JesusChristus，"buthewasdisappointed。
"JesuChriste，"washeranswer。
Renewedshoutsoflaughtergreetedthisinfractionofoneofthemostelementaryrulesofsyntax，andseveralofthosepresentexclaimed"Oh，yourreverence，whatverypoorLatin!"
Barrepretendednottohear，andnextaskedwhatwasthenameofthedemonwhohadtakenpossessionofher。Thepoorsuperior，whowasgreatlyconfusedbytheunexpectedeffectofherlasttwoanswers，couldnotspeakforalongtime；butatlengthwithgreattroubleshebroughtoutthenameAsmodee，withoutdaringtolatiniseit。Theexorcisttheninquiredhowmanydevilsthesuperiorhadinherbody，andtothisquestionsherepliedquitefluently"Sex"Six。
ThebailiffuponthisrequestedBarretoaskthechiefdevilhowmanyevilspiritshehadwithhim。Buttheneedforthisanswerhadbeenforeseen，andthenununhesitatinglyreturned"Quinque"Five。
ThisanswerraisedAsmodeesomewhatintheopinionofthosepresent；
butwhenthebailiffadjuredthesuperiortorepeatinGreekwhatshehadjustsaidinLatinshemadenoreply，andontheadjurationbeingrenewedsheimmediatelyrecoveredhersenses。
Theexaminationofthesuperiorbeingthuscutshort，alittlenunwhoappearedforthefirsttimeinpublicwasbroughtforward。ShebeganbytwicepronouncingthenameofGrandierwithaloudlaugh；
thenturningtothebystanders，calledout——
"Forallyournumber，youcandonothingworthwhile。"
Asitwaseasytoseethatnothingofimportancewastobeexpectedfromthisnewpatient，shewassoonsuppressed，andherplacetakenbythelaysisterClairewhohadalreadymadeherdebutinthemothersuperior'sroomHardlyhadsheenteredthechoirthansheutteredagroan，butassoonastheyplacedheronthelittlebedonwhichtheothernunshadlain，shegavewaytouncontrollablelaughter，andcriedoutbetweentheparoxysms"Grandier，Grandier，youmustbuysomeatthemarket。"
Barreatoncedeclaredthatthesewildandwhirlingwordswereaproofofpossession，andapproachedtoexorcisethedemon；butSisterClaireresisted，andpretendingtospitinthefaceoftheexorcist，putouthertongueathim，makingindecentgestures，usingawordinharmonywithheractions。Thiswordbeinginthevernacularwasunderstoodbyeveryoneandrequirednointerpretation。
Theexorcistthenconjuredhertogivethenameofthedemonwhowasinher，andshereplied"Grandier。"
ButBarrebyrepeatinghisquestiongavehertounderstandthatshehadmadeamistake，whereuponshecorrectedherselfandsaid"Elimi。"
NothingintheworldcouldinducehertorevealthenumberofevilspiritsbywhomElimiwasaccompanied，sothatBarre，seeingthatitwasuselesstopressheronthispoint，passedontothenextquestion。
"Quopactoingressusestdaemon"Bywhatpactdidthedemongetin？。
"Duplex"Double，returnedSisterClaire。
Thishorroroftheablative，whentheablativewasabsolutelynecessary，arousedoncemorethehilarityoftheaudience，andprovedthatSisterClaire'sdevilwasjustaspooraLatinscholarasthesuperior's，andBarre，fearingsomenewlinguisticeccentricityonthepartoftheevilspirit，adjournedthemeetingtoanotherday。
Thepaucityoflearningshownintheanswersofthenunsbeingsufficienttoconvinceanyfairmindedpersonthatthewholeaffairwasaridiculouscomedy，thebailifffeltencouragedtopersevereuntilhehadunravelledthewholeplot。Consequently，atthreeo'clockintheafternoon，hereturnedtotheconvent，accompaniedbyhisclerk，byseveralmagistrates，andbyaconsiderablenumberofthebestknownpeopleofLoudun，andaskedtoseethesuperior。
Beingadmitted，heannouncedtoBarrethathehadcometoinsistonthesuperiorbeingseparatedfromSisterClaire，sothateachcouldbeexorcisedapart。Barredarednotrefusebeforesuchagreatnumberofwitnesses，thereforethesuperiorwasisolatedandtheexorcismsbegunalloveragain。Instantlytheconvulsionsreturned，justasinthemorning，onlythatnowshetwistedherfeetintotheformofhooks，whichwasanewaccomplishment。
Havingadjuredherseveraltimes，theexorcistsucceededinmakingherrepeatsomeprayers，andthensoundedherastothenameandnumberofthedemonsinpossession，whereuponshesaidthreetimesthattherewasonecalledAchaos。ThebailiffthendirectedBarretoaskifshewerepossessed'expactomagi，autexAuravoluntateDei'
byapactwithasorcererorbythepurewillofGod，towhichthesuperioranswered"NonestvoluutasDei"NotbythewillofGod。
Uponthis，Barredreadingmorequestionsfromthebystanders，hastilyresumedhisowncatechismbyaskingwhowasthesorcerer。
"Urbanus，"answeredthesuperior。
"Est-neUrbanuspapa"IsitPopeUrban？，askedtheexorcist。
"Grandier，"repliedthesuperior。
"Quareingressusesincorpushujuspuellae"Whydidyouenterthebodyofthismaiden？，saidBarre。
"Propterpraesentiamtuum"Becauseofyourpresence，answeredthesuperior。
Atthispointthebailiff，seeingnoreasonwhythedialoguebetweenBarreandthesuperiorshouldevercometoanend，interposedanddemandedthatquestionssuggestedbyhimandtheotherofficialspresentshouldbeputtothesuperior，promisingthatifsheansweredthreeoffoursuchquestionscorrectly，he，andthosewithhim，wouldbelieveintherealityofthepossession，andwouldcertifytothateffect。Barreacceptedthechallenge，butunluckilyjustatthatmomentthesuperiorregainedconsciousness，andasitwasalreadylate，everyoneretired。
CHAPTERVI
Thenextday，November25th，thebailiffandthemajorityoftheofficersofthetwojurisdictionscametotheconventoncemore，andwereallconductedtothechoir。Inafewmomentsthecurtainsbehindthegratingweredrawnback，andthesuperior，lyingonherbed，cametoview。Barrebegan，asusual，bythecelebrationofmass，duringwhichthesuperiorwasseizedwithconvulsions，andexclaimedtwoorthreetimes，"Grandier!Grandier!falsepriest!"
Whenthemasswasover，thecelebrantwentbehindthegrating，carryingthepyx；then，placingitonhisheadandholdingitthere，heprotestedthatinallhewasdoinghewasactuatedbythepurestmotivesandthehighestintegrity；thathehadnodesiretoharmanyoneonearth；andheadjuredGodtostrikehimdeadifhehadbeenguiltyofanybadactionorcollusion，orhadinstigatedthenunstoanydeceitduringtheinvestigation。
TheprioroftheCarmelitesnextadvancedandmadethesamedeclaration，takingtheoathinthesamemanner，holdingthepyxoverhishead；andfurthercallingdownonhimselfandhisbrethrenthecurseofKorah，Dathan，andAbiramiftheyhadsinnedduringthisinquiry。Theseprotestationsdidnot，however，producethesalutaryeffectintended，someofthosepresentsayingaloudthatsuchoathssmackedofsacrilege。
Barrehearingthemurmurs，hastenedtobegintheexorcisms，firstadvancingtothesuperiortoofferhertheholysacrament:butassoonasshecaughtsightofhimshebecameterriblyconvulsed，andattemptedtodragthepyxfromhishands。Barre，however，bypronouncingthesacredwords，overcametherepulsionofthesuperior，andsucceededinplacingthewaferinhermouth；she，however，pusheditoutagainwithhertongue，asifitmadehersick；Bargecaughtitinhisfingersandgaveittoheragain，atthesametimeforbiddingthedemontomakehervomit，andthistimeshesucceededinpartlyswallowingthesacredmorsel，butcomplainedthatitstuckinherthroat。Atlast，inordertogetitdown，Bargethreetimesgaveherwatertodrink；andthen，asalwaysduringhisexorcisms，hebeganbyinterrogatingthedemon。
"Perquodpactumingressusesincorpushujuspuellae？"Bywhatpactdidstthouenterthebodyofthismaiden？
"Aqua"Bywater，saidthesuperior。
OneofthosewhohadaccompaniedthebailiffwasaScotchmancalledStracan，theheadoftheReformedCollegeofLoudun。Hearingthisanswer，hecalledonthedemontotranslateaquaintoGaelic，sayingifhegavethisproofofhavingthoselinguisticattainmentswhichallbadspiritspossess，heandthosewithhimwouldbeconvincedthatthepossessionwasgenuineandnodeception。Barre，withoutbeingintheleasttakenaback，repliedthathewouldmakethedemonsayitifGodpermitted，andorderedthespirittoanswerinGaelic。
Butthoughherepeatedhiscommandtwice，itwasnotobeyed；onthethirdrepetitionthesuperiorsaid——
"Nimiacuriositas"Toomuchcuriosity，andonbeingaskedagain，said——
"Deusnonvolo。"
Thistimethepoordevilwentastrayinhisconjugation，andconfusingthefirstwiththethirdperson，said，"God，Idonotwish，"whichinthecontexthadnomeaning。"Goddoesnotwish，"
beingtheappointedanswer。
TheScotchmanlaughedheartilyatthisnonsense，andproposedtoBarretolethisdevilenterintocompetitionwiththeboysofhisseventhform；butBarre，insteadoffranklyacceptingthechallengeinthedevil'sname，hemmedandhawed，andopinedthatthedevilwasjustifiedinnotsatisfyingidlecuriosity。
"But，sir，youmustbeaware，"saidthecivillieutenant，"andifyouarenot，themanualyouholdinyourhandwillteachyou，thatthegiftoftonguesisoneoftheunfailingsymptomsoftruepossession，andthepowertotellwhatishappeningatadistanceanother。"
"Sir，"returnedBarre，"thedevilknowsthelanguageverywell，but，doesnotwishtospeakit；healsoknowsallyoursins，inproofofwhich，ifyousodesire，Ishallorderhimtogivethelist。"
"Ishallbedelightedtohearit，"saidthecivillieutenant；"besogoodastotrytheexperiment。"
Barrewasabouttoapproachthesuperior，whenhewasheldbackbythebailiff，whoremonstratedwithhimontheimproprietyofhisconduct，whereuponBarreassuredthemagistratethathehadneverreallyintendedtodoashethreatened。
However，inspiteofallBarre'sattemptstodistracttheattentionofthebystandersfromthesubject，theystillpersistedindesiringtodiscovertheextentofthedevil'sknowledgeofforeignlanguages，andattheirsuggestionthebailiffproposedtoBarretotryhiminHebrewinsteadofGaelic。Hebrewbeing，accordingtoScripture，themostancientlanguageofall，oughttobefamiliartothedemon，unlessindeedhehadforgottenit。ThisideametwithsuchgeneralapplausethatBarrewasforcedtocommandthepossessednuntosayaquainHebrew。Thepoorwoman，whofounditdifficultenoughtorepeatcorrectlythefewLatinwordsshehadlearnedbyrote，madeanimpatientmovement，andsaid——
"Ican'thelpit；Iretract"Jerenie。
ThesewordsbeingheardandrepeatedbythosenearherproducedsuchanunfavourableimpressionthatoneoftheCarmelitemonkstriedtoexplainthemawaybydeclaringthatthesuperiorhadnotsaid"Jerenie，"but"Zaquay，"aHebrewwordcorrespondingtothetwoLatinwords，"Effudiaquam"Ithrewwaterabout。Butthewords"Jerenie"hadbeenheardsodistinctlythatthemonk'sassertionwasgreetedwithjeers，andthesub-priorreprimandedhimpubliclyasaliar。Uponthis，thesuperiorhadafreshattackofconvulsions，andasallpresentknewthattheseattacksusuallyindicatedthattheperformancewasabouttoend，theywithdrew，makingverymerryoveradevilwhoknewneitherHebrewnorGaelic，andwhosesmatteringofLatinwassoincorrect。
However，asthebailiffandcivillieutenantweredeterminedtoclearupeverydoubtsofarastheystillfeltany，theywentonceagaintotheconventatthreeo'clockthesameafternoon。Barrecameouttomeetthem，andtookthemforastrollintheconventgrounds。Duringtheirwalkhesaidtothecivillieutenantthathefeltverymuchsurprisedthathe，whohadonaformeroccasion，byorderoftheBishopofPoitiers，laidinformationagainstGrandiershouldbenowonhisside。Thecivillieutenantrepliedthathewouldbereadytoinformagainsthimagainiftherewereanyjustification，butatpresenthisobjectwastoarriveatthetruth，andinthishefeltsureheshouldbesuccessful。SuchananswerwasveryunsatisfactorytoBarre；so，drawingthebailiffaside，heremarkedtohimthatamanamongwhoseancestorsweremanypersonsofcondition，severalofwhomhadheldpositionsofmuchdignityintheChurch，andwhohimselfheldsuchanimportantjudicialposition，oughttoshowlessincredulityinregardtothepossibilityofadevilenteringintoahumanbody，sinceifitwereproveditwouldredoundtothegloryofGodandthegoodoftheChurchandofreligion。Thebailiffreceivedthisremonstrancewithmarkedcoldness，andrepliedthathehopedalwaystotakejusticeforhisguide，ashisdutycommanded。Uponthis，Barrepursuedthesubjectnofarther，butledthewaytothesuperior'sapartment。
Justastheyenteredtheroom，wherealargenumberofpeoplewerealreadygathered，thesuperior，catchingsightofthepyxwhichBarrehadbroughtwithhim，felloncemoreintoconvulsions。Barrewenttowardsher，andhavingaskedthedemonasusualbywhatpacthehadenteredthemaiden'sbody，andreceivedtheinformationthatitwasbywater，continuedhisexaminationasfollows:
"Quisfinispacti"Whatistheobjectofthispact？
"Impuritas"Unchastity。
AtthesewordsthebailiffinterruptedtheexorcistandorderedhimtomakethedemonsayinGreekthethreewords，'finis，pacti，impuritas'。Butthesuperior，whohadoncealreadygotoutofherdifficultiesbyanevasiveanswer，hadagainrecoursetothesameconvenientphrase，"Nimiacuriositas，"withwhichBarreagreed，sayingthattheywereindeedtoomuchgiventocuriosity。SothebailiffhadtodesistfromhisattempttomakethedemonspeakGreek，ashehadbeforebeenobligedtogiveuptryingtomakehimspeakHebrewandGaelic。Barrethencontinuedhisexamination。
"Quisattulitpactum？"Whobroughtthepact？
"Magus"Thesorcerer。
"Qualenomenmagi？"Whatisthesorcerer'sname？
"Urbanus"Urban。
"QuisUrbanus？Est-neUrbanuspapa？"
WhatUrban？PopeUrban？
"Grandier。"
"Cujusqualitatis？"Whatishisprofession？
"Curcatus。"
TheenrichingoftheLatinlanguagebythisnewandunknownwordproducedagreateffectontheaudience；however，Barredidnotpauselongenoughtoallowittobereceivedwithalltheconsiderationitdeserved，butwentonatonce。
"Quisattulitaquampacti？"Whobroughtthewaterofthepact？
"Magus"Themagician。
"Quahora？"Atwhato'clock？
"Septima"Atseveno'clock。
"Anmatutina？"Inthemorning？
"Sego"Intheevening。
"Quomodointravit？"Howdidheenter？
"Janua"Bythedoor。
"Quisvidit？"Whosawhim？
"Tres"Threepersons。
HereBarrestopped，inordertoconfirmthetestimonyofthedevil，assuringhishearersthattheSundayafterthesuperior'sdeliverancefromthesecondpossessionhealongwithMignonandoneofthesisterswassittingwithheratsupper，itbeingaboutseveno'clockintheevening，whensheshowedthemdropsofwateronherarm，andnoonecouldtellwheretheycamefrom。Hehadinstantlywashedherarminholywaterandrepeatedsomeprayers，andwhilehewassayingthemthebreviaryofthesuperiorwastwicedraggedfromherhandsandthrownathisfeet，andwhenhestoopedtopickitupforthesecondtimehegotaboxontheearwithoutbeingabletoseethehandthatadministeredit。ThenMignoncameupandconfirmedwhatBarrehadsaidinalongdiscourse，whichhewoundupbycallingdownuponhisheadthemostterriblepenaltiesifeverywordhesaidwerenottheexacttruth。Hethendismissedtheassembly，promisingtodriveouttheevilspiritthenextday，andexhortingthosepresenttopreparethemselves，bypenitenceandreceivingtheholycommunion，forthecontemplationofthewonderswhichawaitedthem。
CHAPTERVII
Thelasttwoexorcismshadbeensomuchtalkedaboutinthetown，thatGrandier，althoughhehadnotbeenpresent，kneweverythingthathadhappened，downtothesmallestdetail，soheoncemorelaidacomplaintbeforethebailiff，inwhichherepresentedthatthenunsmaliciouslycontinuedtonamehimduringtheexorcismsastheauthoroftheirpretendedpossession，beingevidentlyinfluencedtheretobyhisenemies，whereasinfactnotonlyhadhehadnocommunicationwiththem，buthadneverseteyesonthem；thatinordertoprovethattheyactedunderinfluenceitwasabsolutelynecessarythattheyshouldbesequestered，itbeingmostunjustthatMignonandBarre，hismortalenemies，shouldhaveconstantaccesstothemandbeabletostaywiththemnightandday，theirdoingsomakingthecollusionevidentandundeniable；thatthehonourofGodwasinvolved，andalsothatofthepetitioner，whohadsomerighttoberespected，seeingthathewasfirstinrankamongtheecclesiasticsofthetown。
Takingallthisintoconsideration，heconsequentlyprayedthebailifftobepleasedtoorderthatthenunsbufferingfromtheso-
calledpossessionshouldatoncebeseparatedfromeachotherandfromtheirpresentassociates，andplacedunderthecontrolofclericsassistedbyphysiciansinwhoseimpartialitythepetitionercouldhaveconfidence；andhefurtherprayedthatallthisshouldbeperformedinspiteofanyoppositionorappealwhatsoeverbutwithoutprejudicetotherightofappeal，becauseoftheimportanceofthematter。Andincasethebailiffwerenotpleasedtoorderthesequestration，thepetitionerwouldenteraprotestandcomplaintagainsthisrefusalasawithholdingofjustice。
Thebailiffwroteatthebottomofthepetitionthatitwouldbeatoncecompliedwith。
AfterUrbainGrandierhaddeparted，thephysicianswhohadbeenpresentattheexorcismspresentedthemselvesbeforethebailiff，bringingtheirreportwiththem。Inthisreporttheysaidthattheyhadrecognisedconvulsivemovementsofthemothersuperior'sbody，butthatonevisitwasnotsufficienttoenablethemtomakeathoroughdiagnosis，asthemovementsabovementionedmightariseaswellfromanaturalasfromsupernaturalcauses；theythereforedesiredtobeaffordedopportunityforathoroughexaminationbeforebeingcalledontopronounceanopinion。Tothisendtheyrequiredpermissiontospendseveraldaysandnightsuninterruptedlyinthesameroomwiththepatients，andtotreattheminthepresenceofothernunsandsomeofthemagistrates。Further，theyrequiredthatallthefoodandmedicineshouldpassthroughthedoctors'hands，andthatnoone，shouldtouchthepatientsexceptquiteopenly，orspeaktothemexceptinanaudiblevoice。Undertheseconditionstheywouldundertaketofindoutthetruecauseoftheconvulsionsandtomakeareportofthesame。
Itbeingnownineo'clockinthemorning，thehourwhentheexorcismsbegan，thebailiffwentoveratoncetotheconvent，andfoundBarrehalfwaythroughthemass，andthesuperiorinconvulsions。ThemagistrateenteredthechurchatthemomentoftheelevationoftheHost，andnoticedamongthekneelingCatholicsayoungmancalledDessentierstandingupwithhishaton。Heorderedhimeithertouncoverortogoaway。Atthistheconvulsivemovementsofthesuperiorbecamemoreviolent，andshecriedoutthattherewereHuguenotsinthechurch，whichgavethedemongreatpoweroverher。
Barreaskedherhowmanytherewerepresent，andshereplied，"Two，"
thusprovingthatthedevilwasnostrongerinarithmeticthaninLatin；forbesidesDessentier，CouncillorAbrahamGauthier，oneofhisbrothers，fourofhissisters，ReneFourneau，adeputy，andanattorneycalledAngevin，alloftheReformedfaith，werepresent。
AsBarresawthatthosepresentweregreatlystruck，bythisnumericalinaccuracy，hetriedtoturntheirthoughtsinanotherdirectionbyaskingthesuperiorifitweretruethatsheknewnoLatin。Onherreplyingthatshedidnotknowasingleword，heheldthepyxbeforeherandorderedhertoswearbytheholysacrament。
Sheresistedatfirst，sayingloudenoughforthosearoundhertohear——
"Myfather，youmakemetakesuchsolemnoathsthatIfearGodwillpunishme。"
TothisBarrereplied——
"Mydaughter，youmustswearforthegloryofGod。"
Andshetooktheoath。
JustthenoneofthebystandersremarkedthatthemothersuperiorwasinthehabitofinterpretingtheCatechismtoherscholars。Thisshedenied，butacknowledgedthatsheusedtotranslatethePaternosterandtheCreedforthem。Asthesuperiorfeltherselfbecomingsomewhatconfusedatthislongseriesofembarrassingquestions，shedecidedongoingintoconvulsionsagain，butwithonlymoderatesuccess，forthebailiffinsistedthattheexorcistsshouldaskherwhereGrandierwasatthatverymoment。Now，astheritualteachesthatoneoftheproofsofpossessionisthefacultyoftelling，whenasked，wherepeopleare，withoutseeingthem，andasthequestionwaspropoundedintheprescribedterms，shewasboundtoanswer，soshesaidthatGrandierwasinthegreathallofthecastle。
"Thatisnotcorrect，"saidthebailiff，"forbeforecominghereI
pointedoutahousetoGrandierandaskedhimtostayinittillI
cameback。Ifanybodywillgothere，theywillbesuretofindhim，forhewishedtohelpmetodiscoverthetruthwithoutmybeingobligedtoresorttosequestration，whichisadifficultmeasuretotakewithregardtonuns。"
Barrewasnoworderedtosendsomeofthemonkspresenttothecastle，accompaniedbyamagistrateandaclerk。BarrechosetheCarmeliteprior，andthebailiffCharlesChauvet，assessorofthebailiwick，IsmaelBoulieauapriest，andPierreThibaut，anarticledclerk，whoallsetoutatoncetoexecutetheircommission，whiletherestofthosepresentweretoawaittheirreturn。
Meanwhilethesuperior，whohadnotspokenawordsincethebailiff'sdeclaration，remained，inspiteofrepeatedexorcisms，dumb，soBarresentforSisterClaire，sayingthatonedevilwouldencouragetheother。Thebailiffenteredaformalprotestagainstthisstep，insistingthattheonlyresultofadoubleexorcismwouldbetocauseconfusion，duringwhichsuggestionsmightbeconveyedtothesuperior，andthattheproperthingtodowas，beforebeginningnewconjurations，toawaitthereturnofthemessengers。Althoughthebailiff'ssuggestionwasmostreasonable，Barreknewbetterthantoadoptit，forhefeltthatnomatterwhatitcosthemusteithergetridofthebailiffandalltheotherofficialswhosharedhisdoubts，orfindmeanswiththehelpofSisterClairetodeludethemintobelief。Thelaysisterwasthereforebroughtin，inspiteoftheoppositionofthebailiffandtheothermagistrates，andastheydidnotwishtoseemtocountenanceafraud，theyallwithdrew，declaringthattheycouldnolongerlookonatsuchadisgustingcomedy。Inthecourtyardtheymettheirmessengersreturning，whotoldthemtheyhadgonefirsttothecastleandhadsearchedthegreathallandalltheotherroomswithoutseeinganythingofGrandier；theyhadthengonetothehousementionedbythebailiff，wheretheyfoundhimforwhomtheywerelooking，inthecompanyofPereVeret，theconfessorofthenuns，MathurinRousseau，andNicolasBenoit，canons，andConte，adoctor，fromwhomtheylearnedthatGrandierhadnotbeenaninstantoutoftheirsightforthelasttwohours。Thisbeingallthemagistrateswantedtoknow，theywenthome，whiletheirenvoyswentupstairsandtoldtheirstory，whichproducedtheeffectwhichmightbeexpected。ThereuponaCarmelitebrotherwishingtoweakentheimpression，andthinkingthatthedevilmightbemoreluckyinhis，secondguessthanthefirst，askedthesuperiorwhereGrandierwasjustthen。SheansweredwithouttheslightesthesitationthathewaswalkingwiththebailiffinthechurchofSainte-Croix。Anewdeputationwasatoncesentoff，whichfindingthechurchempty，wentontothepalace，andsawthebailiffpresidingatacourt。Hehadgonedirectfromtheconventtothepalace，andhadnotyetseenGrandier。Thesamedaythenunssentwordthattheywouldnotconsenttoanymoreexorcismsbeingperformedinthepresenceofthebailiffandtheofficialswhousuallyaccompaniedhim，andthatforthefuturetheyweredeterminedtoanswernoquestionsbeforesuchwitnesses。
Grandierlearningofthispieceofinsolence，whichpreventedtheonlymanonwhoseimpartialityhecouldreckonfrombeinghenceforwardpresentattheexorcisms，oncemorehandedinapetitiontothebailiff，beggingforthesequestrationofthetwonuns，nomatteratwhatrisk。Thebailiff，however，intheinterestsofthepetitionerhimself，didnotdaretograntthisrequest，forhewasafraidthattheecclesiasticalauthoritieswouldnullifyhisprocedure，onthegroundthattheconventwasnotunderhisjurisdiction。
He，however，summonedameetingoftheprincipalinhabitantsofthetown，inordertoconsultwiththemastothebestcoursetotakeforthepublicgood。Theconclusiontheyarrivedatwastowritetotheattorney-generalandtotheBishopofPoitiers，enclosingcopiesofthereportswhichhadbeendrawnup，andimploringthemtousetheirauthoritytoputanendtotheseperniciousintrigues。Thiswasdone，buttheattorney-generalrepliedthatthematterbeingentirelyecclesiasticaltheParliamentwasnotcompetenttotakecognisanceofit。Asforthebishop，hesentnoansweratall。
Hewasnot，however，sosilenttowardsGrandier'senemies；fortheill-successoftheexorcismsofNovember26thhavingmadeincreasedprecautionsnecessary，theyconsidereditwouldbewelltoapplytothebishopforanewcommission，whereinheshouldappointcertainecclesiasticstorepresenthimduringtheexorcismstocome。BarrehimselfwenttoPoitierstomakethisrequest。Itwasimmediatelygranted，andthebishopappointedBazile，senior-canonofChampigny，andDemorans，seniorcanonofThouars，bothofwhomwererelatedtosomeofGrandier'sadversaries。Thefollowingisacopyofthenewcommission:
"Henri-LouisleChataignierdelaRochepezai，bythedivinewillBishopofPoitiers，totheseniorcanonsoftheChateletdeSaint-PierredeThouarsetdeChampigny-sur-Vese，greeting:
"WebythesepresentscommandyoutorepairtothetownofLoudun，totheconventofthenunsofSainte-Ursule，tobepresentattheexorcismswhichwillbeundertakenbySieurBarreuponsomenunsofthesaidconventwhoaretormentedbyevilspirits，wehavingtheretoauthorisedthesaidBarre。Youarealsotodrawupareportofallthattakesplace，andforthispurposearetotakeanyclerkyoumaychoosewithyou。
"GivenanddoneatPoitiers，November28th，1632。
"SignedHENRILOUIS，BishopofPoitiers。
"CountersignedByorderofthesaidLordBishop，"MICHELET"
Thesetwocommissionershavingbeennotifiedbeforehand，wenttoLoudun，whereMarescot，oneofthequeen'schaplains，arrivedatthesametime；forthepiousqueen，AnneofAustria，hadheardsomanyconflictingaccountsofthepossessionoftheUrsulinenuns，thatshedesired，forherownedification，togettothebottomoftheaffair。
Wecanjudgewhatimportancethecasewasbeginningtoassumebyitsbeingalreadydiscussedatcourt。
Inspiteofthenoticewhichhadbeensentthemthatthenunswouldnotreceivethem，thebailiffandthecivillieutenantfearingthattheroyalenvoywouldallowhimselftobeimposedon，andwoulddrawupanaccountwhichwouldcastdoubtonthefactscontainedintheirreports，betookthemselvestotheconventonDecember1st，thedayonwhichtheexorcismsweretorecommence，inthepresenceofthenewcommissioners。Theywereaccompaniedbytheirassessor，bytheprovost'slieutenant，andaclerk。Theyhadtoknockrepeatedlybeforeanyoneseemedtohearthem，butatlengthanunopenedthedoorandtoldthemtheycouldnotenter，beingsuspectedofbadfaith，astheyhadpubliclydeclaredthatthepossessionwasafraudandanimposture。Thebailiff，withoutwastinghistimearguingwiththesister，askedtoseeBarre，whosoonappearedarrayedinhispriestlyvestments，andsurroundedbyseveralpersons，amongwhomwasthequeen'schaplain。Thebailiffcomplainedthatadmittancehadbeenrefusedtohimandthosewithhim，althoughhehadbeenauthorisedtovisittheconventbytheBishopofPoitiers。Barre'
repliedthathewouldnothindertheircomingin，asfarasitconcernedhim。
"Weareherewiththeintentionofentering，"saidthebailiff，"andalsoforthepurposeofrequestingyoutoputoneortwoquestionstothedemonwhichwehavedrawnupintermswhichareinaccordancewithwhatisprescribedintheritual。Iamsureyouwillnotrefuse，"headded，turningwithabowtoMarescot，"tomakethisexperimentinthepresenceofthequeen'schaplain，sincebythatmeansallthosesuspicionsofimposturecanberemovedwhichareunfortunatelysorifeconcerningthisbusiness。"
"InthatrespectIshalldoasIplease，andnotasyouorderme，"
wastheinsolentreplyoftheexorcist。
"Itis，however，yourdutytofollowlegalmethodsinyourprocedure，"returnedthebailiff，"ifyousincerelydesirethetruth；
foritwouldbeanaffronttoGodtoperformaspuriousmiracleinHishonour，andawrongtotheCatholicfaith，whosepowerisinitstruth，toattempttogiveadventitiouslustretoitsdoctrinesbytheaidoffraudanddeception。"
"Sir，"saidBarre，"Iamamanofhonour，IknowmydutyandIshalldischargeit；butastoyourself，Imustrecalltoyourrecollectionthatthelasttimeyouwerehereyouleftthechapelinangerandexcitement，whichisanattitudeofmindmostunbecominginonewhosedutyitistoadministerjustice。"
Seeingthattheserecriminationswouldhavenopracticalresult，themagistratescutthemshortbyreiteratingtheirdemandforadmittance；andonthisbeingrefused，theyremindedtheexorciststhattheywereexpresslyprohibitedfromaskinganyquestionstendingtocastasluronthecharacterofanypersonorpersonswhatever，underpainofbeingtreatedasdisturbersofthepublicpeace。AtthiswarningBarre，sayingthathedidnotacknowledgethebailiff'sjurisdiction，shutthedoorinthefacesofthetwomagistrates。
Astherewasnotimetoloseifthemachinationsofhisenemiesweretobebroughttonought，thebailiffandthecivillieutenantadvisedGrandiertowritetotheArchbishopofBordeaux，whohadoncealreadyextricatedhimfromimminentdanger，settingforthatlengthhispresentpredicament；thisletter；accompaniedbythereportsdrawnupbythebailiffandthecivillieutenant，weresentoffatoncebyatrustymessengertoHisGraceofEscoubleaudeSourdis。Assoonashereceivedthedespatches，theworthyprelateseeinghowgravewasthecrisis，andthattheslightestdelaymightbefataltoGrandier，setoutatonceforhisabbeyofSaint-Jouinles-Marmes，theplaceinwhichhehadalreadyvindicatedinsostrikingamannertheuprightcharacterofthepoorpersecutedpriestbyafearlessactofjustice。
Itisnotdifficulttorealisewhatablowhisarrivalwastothosewhoheldabrieffortheevilspiritsinpossession；hardlyhadhereachedSaint-Jouinthanhesenthisownphysiciantotheconventwithorderstoseetheafflictednunsandtotesttheircondition，inordertojudgeiftheconvulsionswererealorsimulated。Thephysicianarrived，armedwithaletterfromthearchbishop，orderingMignontopermitthebearertomakeathoroughexaminationintothepositionofaffairs。Mignonreceivedthephysicianwithalltherespectduetohimwhosenthim，butexpressedgreatregretthathehadnotcomealittlesooner，as，thankstohisMignon'sexertionsandthoseofBarre，thedevilshadbeenexorcisedtheprecedingday。
Heneverthelessintroducedthearchbishop'senvoytothepresenceofthesuperiorandSisterClaire，whosedemeanourwasascalmasiftheyhadneverbeendisturbedbyanyagitating'experiences。
Mignon'sstatementbeingthusconfirmed，thedoctorreturnedtoSaint-Jouin，theonlythingtowhichhecouldbeartestimonybeingthetranquillitywhichreignedatthemomentintheconvent。
Theimposturebeingnowlaidsocompletelybare，thearchbishopwasconvincedthattheinfamouspersecutionstowhichithadledwouldceaseatonceandforever；butGrandier，betteracquaintedwiththecharacterofhisadversaries，arrivedonthe27thofDecemberattheabbeyandlaidapetitionatthearchbishop'sfeet。Inthisdocumenthesetforththathisenemieshavingformerlybroughtfalseandslanderousaccusations，againsthimofwhich，throughthejusticeofthearchbishop，hehadbeenabletoclearhimself，hademployedthemselvesduringthelastthreemonthsininventingandpublishingasafactthatthepetitionerhadsentevilspiritsintothebodiesofnunsintheUrsulineconventofLoudun，althoughhehadneverspokentoanyofthesisterhoodthere；thattheguardianshipofthesisterswho，itwasalleged，werepossessed，andthetaskofexorcism，hadbeenentrustedtoJeanMignonandPierreBarre，whohadinthemostunmistakablemannershownthemselvestobethemortalenemiesofthepetitioner；thatinthereportsdrawnupbythesaid
JeanMignonandPierreBarre，whichdifferedsowidelyfromthosemadebythebailiffandthecivillieutenant，itwasboastfullyallegedthatthreeorfourtimesdevilshadbeendrivenout，butthattheyhadsucceededinreturningandtakingpossessionoftheirvictimsagainandagain，invirtueofsuccessivepactsenteredintobetweentheprinceofdarknessandthepetitioner；thattheaimofthesereportsandallegationswastodestroythereputationofthepetitionerandexcitepublicopinionagainsthim；thatalthoughthedemonshadbeenputtoflightbythearrivalofHisGrace，yetitwastooprobablethatassoonashewasgonetheywouldreturntothecharge；thatif，suchbeingthecase，thepowerfulsupportofthearchbishopwerenotavailable，theinnocenceofthepetitioner，nomatterhowstronglyestablished，wouldbythecunningtacticsofhisinveteratefoesbeobscuredanddenied:he，thepetitioner，thereforeprayedthat，shouldtheforegoingreasonsproveonexaminationtobecogent，thearchbishopwouldbepleasedtoprohibitBarre，Mignon，andtheirpartisans，whetheramongthesecularortheregularclergy，fromtakingpartinanyfutureexorcisms，shouldsuchbenecessary，orinthecontrolofanypersonsallegedtobepossessed；
furthermore，petitionerprayedthatHisGracewouldbepleasedtoappointasaprecautionarymeasuresuchotherclericsandlaypersonsasseemedtohimsuitable，tosuperintendtheadministrationoffoodandmedicineandtheriteofexorcismtothoseallegedtobepossessed，andthatallthetreatmentshouldbecarriedoutinthepresenceofmagistrates。
Thearchbishopacceptedthepetition，andwrotebelowit:
"Thepresentpetitionhavingbeenseenbyusandtheopinionofourattorneyhavingbeentakeninthematter，wehavesentthepetitionerinadvanceofoursaidattorneybacktoPoitiers，thatjusticemaybedonehim，andinthemeantimewehaveappointedSieurBarre，Perel'Escaye，aJesuitresidinginPoitiers，PereGautoftheOratory，residingatTours，toconducttheexorcisms，shouldsuchbenecessary，andhavegiventhemanordertothiseffect。
"Itisforbiddentoallotherstomeddlewiththesaidexorcisms，onpainofbeingpunishedaccordingtolaw。"
ItwillbeseenfromtheabovethatHisGracetheArchbishopofBordeaux，inhisenlightenedandgenerousexerciseofjustice，hadforeseenandprovidedforeverypossiblecontingency；sothatassoonashisordersweremadeknowntotheexorciststhepossessionceasedatonceandcompletely，andwasnolongereventalkedof。BarrewithdrewtoChinon，theseniorcanonsrejoinedtheirchapters，andthenuns，happilyrescuedforthetime，resumedtheirlifeofretirementandtranquillity。ThearchbishopneverthelessurgedonGrandiertheprudenceofeffectinganexchangeofbenefices，butherepliedthathewouldnotatthatmomentchangehissimplelivingofLoudunforabishopric。
CHAPTERVIII
TheexposureoftheplotwasmostprejudicialtotheprosperityoftheUrsulinecommunity:spuriouspossession，farfrombringingtotheirconventanincreaseofsubscriptionsandenhancingtheirreputation，asMignonhadpromised，hadendedfortheminopenshame，whileinprivatetheysufferedfromstraitenedcircumstances，fortheparentsoftheirboardershastenedtowithdrawtheirdaughtersfromtheconvent，andthenunsinlosingtheirpupilslosttheirsolesourceofincome。Their，fallintheestimationofthepublicfilledthemwithdespair，anditleakedoutthattheyhadhadseveralaltercationswiththeirdirector，duringwhichtheyreproachedhimforhaving，bymakingthemcommitsuchagreatsin，overwhelmedthemwithinfamyandreducedthemtomisery，insteadofsecuringforthemthegreatspiritualandtemporaladvantageshehadpromisedthem。
Mignon，althoughdevouredbyhate，wasobligedtoremainquiet，buthewasnonethelessasdeterminedasevertohaverevenge，andashewasoneofthosemenwhonevergiveupwhileagleamofhoperemains，andwhomnowaitingcantire，hebidedhistime，avoidingnotice，apparentlyresignedtocircumstances，butkeepinghiseyesfixedonGrandier，readytoseizeonthefirstchanceofrecoveringpossessionofthepreythathadescapedhishands。Andunluckilythechancesoonpresenteditself。
Itwasnow1633:Richelieuwasattheheightofhispower，carryingouthisworkofdestruction，makingcastlesfallbeforehimwherehecouldnotmakeheadsfall，inthespiritofJohnKnox'swords，"Destroythenestsandthecrowswilldisappear。"NowoneofthesenestswasthecrenellatedcastleofLoudun，andRichelieuhadthereforeordereditsdemolition。
ThepersonappointedtocarryoutthisorderwasamansuchasthosewhomLouisXI。hademployedfiftyyearsearliertodestroythefeudalsystem，andRobespierreonehundredandfiftyyearslatertodestroythearistocracy。Everywoodmanneedsanaxe，everyreaperasickle，andRichelieufoundtheinstrumentherequiredindeLaubardemont，CouncillorofState。
Buthewasaninstrumentfullofintelligence，detectingbythemannerinwhichhewaswieldedthemovingpassionofthewielder，andadaptinghiswholenaturewithmarvellousdexteritytogratifythatpassionaccordingtothecharacterofhimwhomitpossessed；nowbyaroughandreadyimpetuosity，nowbyadeliberateandhiddenadvance；
equallywillingtostrikewiththeswordortopoisonbycalumny，asthemanwhomovedhimlustedforthebloodorsoughttoaccomplishthedishonourofhisvictim。
M。deLaubardemontarrivedatLoudunduringthemonthofAugust1633，andinordertocarryouthismissionaddressedhimselftoSieurMemindeSilly，prefectofthetown，thatoldfriendofthecardinal'swhomMignonandBarre，aswehavesaid，hadimpressedsofavourably。MeminsawinthearrivalofLaubardemontaspecialintimationthatitwasthewillofHeaventhattheseeminglylostcauseofthoseinwhomhetooksuchawarminterestshouldultimatelytriumph。HepresentedMignonandallhisfriendstoM。Laubardemont，whoreceivedthemwithmuchcordiality。Theytalkedofthemothersuperior，whowasarelation，aswehaveseen，ofM。deLaubardemont，andexaggeratedtheinsultofferedherbythedecreeofthearchbishop，sayingitwasanaffronttothewholefamily；andbeforelongtheonethingalonewhichoccupiedthethoughtsoftheconspiratorsandthecouncillorwashowbesttodrawdownuponGrandiertheangerofthecardinal-duke。Awaysoonopened。
TheQueenmother，MariedeMedici，hadamongherattendantsawomancalledHammon，towhom，havingoncehadoccasiontospeak，shehadtakenafancy，andgivenapostnearherperson。Inconsequenceofthiswhim，Hammoncametoberegardedasapersonofsomeimportanceinthequeen'shousehold。HammonwasanativeofLoudun，andhadpassedthegreaterpartofheryouththerewithherownpeople，whobelongedtothelowerclasses。Grandierhadbeenherconfessor，andsheattendedhischurch，andasshewaslivelyandcleverheenjoyedtalkingtoher，sothatatlengthanintimacysprangupbetweenthem。