Itsohappenedatatimewhenheandtheotherministerswereinmomentarydisgrace，thatasatirefullofbitingwitandrailleryappeared，directedespeciallyagainstthecardinal，andthissatirehadbeenattributedtoHammon，whowasknowntoshare，aswasnatural，hermistress'shatredofRichelieu。Protectedasshewasbythequeen'sfavour，thecardinalhadfounditimpossibletopunishHammon，buthestillcherishedadeepresentmentagainsther。
ItnowoccurredtotheconspiratorstoaccuseGrandierofbeingtherealauthorofthesatire；anditwasassertedthathehadlearnedfromHammonallthedetailsofthecardinal'sprivatelife，theknowledgeofwhichgavesomuchpointtotheattackonhim；iftheycouldoncesucceedinmakingRichelieubelievethis，Grandierwaslost。
Thisplanbeingdecidedon，M。deLaubardemontwasaskedtovisittheconvent，andthedevilsknowingwhatanimportantpersonagehewas，flockedthithertogivehimaworthywelcome。Accordingly，thenunshadattacksofthemostindescribablyviolentconvulsions，andM。deLaubardemontreturnedtoParisconvincedastotherealityoftheirpossession。
ThefirstwordthecouncillorofstatesaidtothecardinalaboutUrbainGrandiershowedhimthathehadtakenuselesstroubleininventingthestoryaboutthesatire，forbythebarementionofhisnamehewasabletoarousethecardinal'sangertoanyheighthewished。Thefactwas，thatwhenRichelieuhadbeenPriorofCoussayheandGrandierhadhadaquarrelonaquestionofetiquette，thelatteraspriestofLoudunhavingclaimedprecedenceovertheprior，andcarriedhispoint。Thecardinalhadnotedtheaffrontinhisbloodstainedtablets，andatthefirsthintdeLaubardemontfoundhimaseagertobringaboutGrandier'sruinaswasthecouncillorhimself。
DeLaubardemontwasatoncegrantedthefollowingcommission:
"SieurdeLaubardemont，CouncillorofStateandPrivyCouncillor，willbetakehimselftoLoudun，andtowhateverotherplacesmaybenecessary，toinstituteproceedingsagainstGrandieronallthechargesformerlypreferredagainsthim，andonotherfactswhichhavesincecometolight，touchingthepossessionbyevilspiritsoftheUrsulinenunsofLoudun，andofotherpersons，whoaresaidlikewisetobetormentedofdevilsthroughtheevilpracticesofthesaidGrandier；hewilldiligentlyinvestigateeverythingfromthebeginningthathasanybearingeitheronthesaidpossessionorontheexorcisms，andwillforwardtoushisreportthereon，andthereportsandotherdocumentssentinbyformercommissionersanddelegates，andwillbepresentatallfutureexorcisms，
andtakeproperstepstoobtainevidenceofthesaidfacts，thattheymaybeclearlyestablished；and，aboveall，willdirect，institute，andcarrythroughthesaidproceedingsagainstGrandierandallotherswhohavebeeninvolvedwithhiminthesaidcase，untildefinitivesentencebepassed；andinspiteofanyappealorcounterchargethiscausewillnotbedelayedbutwithoutprejudicetotherightofappealinothercauses，onaccountofthenatureofthecrimes，andnoregardwillbepaidtoanyrequestforpostponementmadebythesaidGrandier。Hismajestycommandsallgovernors，provinciallieutenant-generals，bailiffs，seneschals，andothermunicipalauthorities，andallsubjectswhomitmayconcern，togiveeveryassistanceinarrestingandimprisoningallpersonswhomitmaybenecessarytoputunderconstraint，iftheyshallberequiredsotodo。"
Furnishedwiththisorder，whichwasequivalenttoacondemnation，deLaubardemontarrivedatLaudun，the5thofDecember，1633，atnineo'clockintheevening；andtoavoidbeingseenhealightedinasuburbatthehouseofonemaitrePaulAubin，king'susher，andson-
in-lawofMemindeSilly。HisarrivalwaskeptsosecretthatneitherGrandiernorhisfriendsknewofit，butMemin，HerveMenuau，andMignonwerenotified，andimmediatelycalledonhim。DeLaubardemontreceivedthem，commissioninhand，butbroadasitwas，itdidnotseemtothemsufficient，foritcontainednoorderforGrandier'sarrest，andGrandiermightfly。DeLaubardemont，smilingattheideathathecouldbesomuchinfault，drewfromhispocketanorderinduplicate，incaseonecopyshouldbelost，datedlikethecommission，November30th，signedLOUIS，andcountersignedPHILIPPEAUX。Itwasconceivedinthefollowingterms:
LOUIS，etc。etc。
"WehaveentrustedthesepresentstoSieurdeLaubardemont，PrivyCouncillor，toempowerthesaidSieurdeLaubardemonttoarrestGrandierandhisaccomplicesandimprisontheminasecureplace，withorderstoallprovosts，marshals，andotherofficers，andtoalloursubjectsingeneral，tolendwhateverassistanceisnecessarytocarryoutaboveorder；andtheyarecommandedbythesepresentstoobeyallordersgivenbythesaidSieur；andallgovernorsandlieutenants-generalarealsoherebycommandedtofurnishthesaidSieurwithwhateveraidhemayrequireattheirhands。"
Thisdocumentbeingthecompletionoftheother，itwasimmediatelyresolved，inordertoshowthattheyhadtheroyalauthorityattheirback，andasapreventivemeasure，toarrestGrandieratonce，withoutanypreliminaryinvestigation。TheyhopedbythissteptointimidateanyofficialwhomightstillbeinclinedtotakeGrandier'spart，andanywitnesswhomightbedisposedtotestifyinhisfavour。Accordingly，theyimmediatelysentforGuillaumeAubin，SieurdeLagrangearidprovost'slieutenant。DeLaubardemontcommunicatedtohimthecommissionofthecardinalandtheorderoftheking，andrequestedhimtoarrestGrandierearlynextmorning。
M。deLagrangecouldnotdenythetwosignatures，andansweredthathewouldobey；butasheforesawfromtheirmannerofgoingtoworkthattheproceedingsabouttobeinstitutedwouldbeanassassinationandnotafairtrial，hesent，inspiteofbeingadistantconnectionofMemin，whosedaughterwasmarriedtohisLagrange'sbrother，towarnGrandieroftheordershehadreceived。ButGrandierwithhisusualintrepidity，whilethankingLagrangeforhisgenerousmessage，sentbackwordthat，secureinhisinnocenceandrelyingonthejusticeofGod，hewasdeterminedtostandhisground。
SoGrandierremained，andhisbrother，whosleptbesidehim，declaredthathissleepthatnightwasasquietasusual。Thenextmorningherose，aswashishabit，atsixo'clock，tookhisbreviaryinhishand，andwentoutwiththeintentionofattendingmatinsatthechurchofSainte-Croix。HehadhardlyputhisfootoverthethresholdbeforeLagrange，inthepresenceofMemin，Mignon，andtheotherconspirators，whohadcomeouttogloatoverthesight，arrestedhiminthenameoftheking。HewasatonceplacedinthecustodyofJeanPouguet，anarcherinHisMajesty'sguards，andofthearchersoftheprovostsofLoudunandChinon，tobetakentothecastleatAngers。Meanwhileasearchwasinstituted，andtheroyalsealaffixedtothedoorsofhisapartments，tohispresses，hisotherarticlesoffurniture-infact，toeverythingandplaceinthehouse；butnothingwasfoundthattendedtocompromisehim，exceptanessayagainstthecelibacyofpriests，andtwosheetsofpaperwhereonwerewritteninanotherhandthanhis，somelove-poemsinthetasteofthattime。
CHAPTERIX
ForfourmonthsGrandierlanguishedinprison，and，accordingtothereportofMichelon，commandantofAngers，andofPierreBacher，hisconfessor，hewas，duringthewholeperiod，amodelofpatienceandfirmness，passinghisdaysinreadinggoodbooksorinwritingprayersandmeditations，whichwereafterwardsproducedathistrial。
Meanwhile，inspiteoftheurgentappealsofJeanneEsteye，motheroftheaccused，who，althoughseventyyearsofage，seemedtorecoverheryouthfulstrengthandactivityinthedesiretosaveherson，Laubardemontcontinuedtheexamination，whichwasfinishedonApril4th。UrbainwasthenbroughtbackfromAngerstoLoudun。
AnextraordinarycellhadbeenpreparedforhiminahousebelongingtoMignon，andwhichhadformerlybeenoccupiedbyasergeantnamedBontems，onceclerktoTrinquant，whohadbeenawitnessfortheprosecutioninthefirsttrial。Itwasonthetopmoststory；thewindowshadbeenwalledup，leavingonlyonesmallslitopen，andeventhisopeningwassecuredbyenormousironbars；andbyanexaggerationofcautionthemouthofthefireplacewasfurnishedwithagrating，lestthedevilsshouldarrivethroughthechimneytofreethesorcererfromhischains。Furthermore，twoholesinthecornersoftheroom，soformedthattheywereunnoticeablefromwithin，allowedaconstantwatchtobekeptoverGrandier'smovementsbyBontem'swife，aprecautionbywhichtheyhopedtolearnsomethingthatwouldhelptheminthecomingexorcisms。Inthisroom，lyingonalittlestraw，andalmostwithoutlight，Grandierwrotethefollowinglettertohismother:
"MYMOTHER，——Ireceivedyourletterandeverythingyousentmeexceptthewoollenstockings。Iendureanyafflictionwithpatience，andfeelmorepityforyouthanformyself。Iamverymuchinconveniencedforwantofabed；tryandhaveminebroughttome，formymindwillgivewayifmybodyhasnorest:ifyoucan，sendmeabreviary，aBible，andaSt。Thomasformyconsolation；andaboveall，donotgrieveforme。Itrustthat，Godwillbringmyinnocencetolight。Commendmetomybrotherandsister，andallourgoodfriends——Iam，mother，yourdutifulsonandservant，"GRANDIER"
WhileGrandierhadbeeninprisonatAngersthecasesofpossessionattheconventhadmiraculouslymultiplied，foritwasnolongeronlythesuperiorandSisterClairewhohadfallenapreytotheevilspirits，butalsoseveralothersisters，whoweredividedintothreegroupsasfollows，andseparated:——
Thesuperior，withSistersLouisedesAngesandAnnedeSainte-Agnes，weresenttothehouseofSieurDelaville，advocate，legaladvisertothesisterhood；SistersClaireandCatherinedelaPresentationwereplacedinthehouseofCanonMaurat；SistersElisabethdelaCroix，MoniquedeSainte-Marthe，JeanneduSainte-Esprit，andSeraphiqueArcherwereinathirdhouse。
AgeneralsupervisionwasundertakenbyMemin'ssister，thewifeofMoussant，whowasthuscloselyconnectedwithtwoofthegreatestenemiesoftheaccused，andtoherBontems'wifetoldallthatthesuperiorneededtoknowaboutGrandier。Suchwasthemannerofthesequestration!
Thechoiceofphysicianswasnolessextraordinary。InsteadofcallinginthemostskilledpractitionersofAngers，Tours，Poitiers，orSaumur，allofthem，exceptDanielRogerofLoudun，camefromthesurroundingvillages，andweremenofnoeducation:oneofthem，indeed，hadfailedtoobtaineitherdegreeorlicence，andhadbeenobligedtoleaveSaumurinconsequence；anotherhadbeenemployedinasmallshoptotakegoodshome，apositionhehadexchangedforthemorelucrativeoneofquack。
Therewasjustaslittlesenseoffairnessandproprietyshowninthechoiceoftheapothecaryandsurgeon。Theapothecary，whosenamewasAdam，wasMignon'sfirstcousin，andhadbeenoneofthewitnessesfortheprosecutionatGrandier'sfirsttrial；andasonthatoccasion——hehadlibelledayounggirlofLoudun，hehadbeensentencedbyadecreeofParliamenttomakeapublicapology。Andyet，thoughhishatredofGrandierinconsequenceofthishumiliationwassowellknown，——perhapsforthatveryreason，itwastohimthedutyofdispensingandadministeringtheprescriptionswasentrusted，noonesupervisingtheworkevensofarastoseethattheproperdosesweregiven，ortakingnotewhetherforsedativeshedidnotsometimessubstitutestimulatingandexcitingdrugs，capableofproducingrealconvulsions。
ThesurgeonMannouriwasstillmoreunsuitable，forhewasanephewofMemindeSilly，andbrotherofthenunwhohadofferedthemostdeterminedoppositiontoGrandier'sdemandforsequestrationofthepossessedsisters，duringthesecondseriesofexorcisms。InvaindidthemotherandbrotheroftheaccusedpresentpetitionssettingforththeincapacityofthedoctorsandthehatredofGrandierprofessedbytheapothecary；theycouldnot，evenattheirownexpense，obtaincertifiedcopiesofanyofthesepetitions，althoughtheyhadwitnessesreadytoprovethatAdamhadonceinhisignorancedispensedcrocusmetallorumforcrocusmantis——amistakewhichhadcausedthedeathofthepatientforwhomtheprescriptionwasmadeup。Inshort，sodeterminedweretheconspiratorsthatthistimeGrandiershouldbedonetodeath，thattheyhadnoteventhedecencytoconcealtheinfamousmethodsbywhichtheyhadarrangedtoattainthisresult。
Theexaminationwascarriedonwithvigour。Asoneofthefirstformalitieswouldbetheidentificationoftheaccused，GrandierpublishedamemorialinwhichherecalledthecaseofSaint-
AnastasiusattheCouncilofTyre，whohadbeenaccusedofimmoralitybyafallenwomanwhomhehadneverseenbefore。Whenthiswomanenteredthehallofjusticeinordertosweartoherdeposition，apriestnamedTimothywentuptoherandbegantotalktoherasifhewereAnastasius；fallingintothetrap，sheansweredasifsherecognisedhim，andthustheinnocenceofthesaintwasshownforth。
Grandierthereforedemandedthattwoorthreepersonsofhisownheightandcomplexionshouldbedressedexactlylikehimself，andwithhimshouldbeallowedtoconfrontthenuns。Ashehadneverseenanyofthem，andwasalmostcertaintheyhadneverseenhim，theywouldnotbeable，hefeltsure，topointhimoutwithcertainty，inspiteoftheallegationsofundueintimacywiththemselvestheybroughtagainsthim。Thisdemandshowedsuchconsciousinnocencethatitwasembarrassingtoanswer，sononoticewastakenofit。
MeanwhiletheBishopofPoitiers，whofeltmuchelatedatgettingthebetteroftheArchbishopofBordeaux，whoofcoursewaspowerlessagainstanorderissuedbythecardinal-duke，tookexceptiontoPere1'EscayeandPereGaut，theexorcistsappointedbyhissuperior，andnamedinsteadhisownchaplain，whohadbeenjudgeatGrandier'sfirsttrial，andhadpassedsentenceonhim，andPereLactance，aFranciscanmonk。Thesetwo，makingnosecretofthesidewithwhichtheysympathised，putupontheirarrivalatNicolasMoussant's，oneofGrandier'smostbitterenemies；onthefollowingdaytheywenttothesuperior'sapartmentsandbegantheirexorcisms。
Thefirsttimethesuperioropenedherlipstoreply，PereLactanceperceivedthatsheknewalmostnoLatin，andconsequentlywouldnotshineduringtheexorcism，soheorderedhertoanswerinFrench，althoughhestillcontinuedtoexorciseherinLatin；andwhensomeonewasboldenoughtoobject，sayingthatthedevil，accordingtotheritual，knewalllanguageslivinganddead，andoughttoreplyinthesamelanguageinwhichhewasaddressed，thefatherdeclaredthattheincongruitywascausedbythepact，andthatmoreoversomedevilsweremoreignorantthanpeasants。
Followingtheseexorcists，andtwoCarmelitemonks，namedPierredeSaint-ThomasandPierredeSaint-Mathurin，whohad，fromtheverybeginning，pushedtheirwayinwhenanythingwasgoingon，camefourCapuchinssentbyPereJoseph，headoftheFranciscans，"HisgreyEminence，"ashewascalled，andwhosenameswerePeresLuc，Tranquille，Potais，andElisee；sothatamuchmorerapidadvancecouldbemadethanhithertobycarryingontheexorcismsinfourdifferentplacesatonce——viz。，intheconvent，andinthechurchesofSainte-Croix，Saint-PierreduMartroy，andNotre-DameduChateau。
Verylittleofimportancetookplace，however，onthefirsttwooccasions，the15thand16thofApril；forthedeclarationsofthedoctorsweremostvagueandindefinite，merelysayingthatthethingstheyhadseenweresupernatural，surpassingtheirknowledgeandtherulesofmedicine。
Theceremonyofthe23rdAprilpresented，however，somepointsofinterest。Thesuperior，inreplytotheinterrogationsofPereLactance，statedthatthedemonhadenteredherbodyundertheformsofacat，adog，astag，andabuck-goat。
"Quoties？"Howoften？，inquiredtheexorcist。
"Ididn'tnoticetheday，"repliedthesuperior，mistakingthewordquotiesforquandowhen。
ItwasprobablytorevengeherselfforthiserrorthatthesuperiordeclaredthesamedaythatGrandierhadonhisbodyfivemarksmadebythedevil，andthatthoughhisbodywaselseinsensibletopain，hewasvulnerableatthosespots。Mannouri，thesurgeon，wasthereforeorderedtoverifythisassertion，andthedayappointedfortheverificationwasthe26th。
InvirtueofthismandateMannouripresentedhimselfearlyonthatdayatGrandier'sprison，causedhimtobestrippednakedandcleanlyshaven，thenorderedhimtobelaidonatableandhiseyesbandaged。
Butthedevilwaswrongagain:Grandierhadonlytwomarks，insteadoffive——oneontheshoulder-blade，andtheotheronthethigh。
Thentookplaceoneofthemostabominableperformancesthatcanbeimagined。Mannouriheldinhishandaprobe，withahollowhandle，intowhichtheneedleslippedwhenaspringwastouched:whenMannouriappliedtheprobetothosepartsofGrandier'sbodywhich，accordingtothesuperior，wereinsensible，hetouchedthespring，andtheneedle，whileseemingtoburyitselfintheflesh，reallyretreatedintothehandle，thuscausingnopain；butwhenhetouchedoneofthemarkssaidtobevulnerable，helefttheneedlefixed，anddroveitintothedepthofseveralinches。ThefirsttimehedidthisitdrewfrompoorGrandier，whowastakenunprepared，suchapiercingcrythatitwasheardinthestreetbythecrowdwhichhadgatheredroundthedoor。Fromthemarkontheshoulder-bladewithwhichhehadcommenced，Mannouripassedtothatonthethigh，butthoughheplungedtheneedleintoitsfulldepthGrandierutteredneithercrynorgroan，butwentonquietlyrepeatingaprayer，andnotwithstandingthatMannouristabbedhimtwicemorethrougheachofthetwomarks，hecoulddrawnothingfromhisvictimbutprayersforhistormentors。
M。deLaubardemontwaspresentatthisscene。
ThenextdaythedevilwasaddressedinsuchforcibletermsthatanacknowledgmentwaswrungfromhimthatGrandier'sbodybore，notfive，buttwomarksonly；andalso，tothevastadmirationofthespectators，hewasablethistimetoindicatetheirprecisesituation。
Unfortunatelyforthedemon，ajokeinwhichheindulgedonthisoccasiondetractedfromtheeffectoftheaboveproofofcleverness。
HavingbeenaskedwhyhehadrefusedtospeakontheprecedingSaturday，hesaidhehadnotbeenatLoudunonthatday，asthewholemorninghehadbeenoccupiedinaccompanyingthesoulofacertainLeProust，attorneytotheParliamentofParis，tohell。Thisanswerawokesuchdoubtsinthebreastsofsomeofthelaymenpresentthattheytookthetroubletoexaminetheregisterofdeaths，andfoundthatnooneofthenameofLeProust，belongingtoanyprofessionwhatever，haddiedonthatdate。Thisdiscoveryrenderedthedevillessterrible，andperhapslessamusing。
Meantimetheprogressoftheotherexorcismsmetwithlikeinterruptions。PerePierredeSaintThomas，whoconductedtheoperationsintheCarmelitechurch，askedoneofthepossessedsisterswhereGrandier'sbooksofmagicwere；sherepliedthattheywerekeptatthehouseofacertainyounggirl，whosenameshegave，andwhowasthesametowhomAdamhadbeenforcedtoapologise。DeLaubardemont，Moussant，Herve，andMeunauhastenedatoncetothehouseindicated，searchedtheroomsandthepresses，openedthechestsandthewardrobesandallthesecretplacesinthehouse，butinvain。
Ontheirreturntothechurch，theyreproachedthedevilforhavingdeceivedthem，butheexplainedthatanieceoftheyoungwomanhadremovedthebooks。Uponthis，theyhurriedtotheniece'sdwelling，butunluckilyshewasnotathome，havingspentthewholedayatacertainchurchmakingherdevotions，andwhentheywentthither，thepriestsandattendantsaverredthatshehadnotgoneoutallday；sonotwithstandingthedesireoftheexorciststoobligeAdamtheywereforcedtoletthematterdrop。
Thesetwofalsestatementsincreasedthenumberofunbelievers；butitwasannouncedthatamostinterestingperformancewouldtakeplaceonMay4th；indeed，theprogrammewhenissuedwasvariedenoughtoarousegeneralcuriosity。Asmodeuswastoraisethesuperiortwofeetfromtheground，andthefiendsEazasandCerberus，inemulationoftheirleader，woulddoasmuchfortwoothernuns；whileafourthdevil，namedBeherit，wouldgofartherstill，and，greatlydaring，wouldattackM。deLaubardemonthimself，and，havingspiritedhiscouncillor'scapfromhishead，wouldholditsuspendedintheairforthespaceofaMisereye。Furthermore，theexorcistsannouncedthatsixofthestrongestmeninthetownwouldtrytopreventthecontortionsofthe，weakestoftheconvulsednuns，andwouldfail。
Itneedhardlybesaidthattheprospectofsuchanentertainmentfilledthechurchontheappointeddaytooverflowing。PereLactancebeganbycallingonAsmodeustofulfilhispromiseofraisingthesuperiorfromtheground。Shebegan，hereupon，toperformvariousevolutionsonhermattress，andatonemomentitseemedasifshewerereallysuspendedintheair；butoneofthespectatorsliftedherdressandshowedthatshewasonlystandingontiptoe，which，thoughitmightbeclever，wasnotmiraculous。Shoutsoflaughterrenttheair，whichhadsuchanintimidatingeffectonEazasandCerberusthatnotalltheadjurationsoftheexorcistscouldextracttheslightestresponse。Beheritwastheirlasthope，andherepliedthathewaspreparedtoliftupM。deLaubardemont'scap，andwoulddosobeforetheexpirationofaquarterofanhour。
Wemusthereremarkthatthistimetheexorcismstookplaceintheevening，insteadofinthemorningashitherto；anditwasnowgrowingdark，anddarknessisfavourabletoillusions。Severaloftheunbelievingonespresent，therefore，begantocallattentiontothefactthatthequarterofanhour'sdelaywouldnecessitatetheemploymentofartificiallightduringthenextscene。TheyalsonoticedthatM。deLaubardemonthadseatedhimselfapartandimmediatelybeneathoneofthearchesinthevaultedroof，throughwhichaholehadbeendrilledforthepassageofthebell-rope。Theythereforeslippedoutofthechurch，andupintothebelfry，wheretheyhid。Inafewmomentsamanappearedwhobegantoworkatsomething。Theysprangonhimandseizedhiswrists，andfoundinoneofhishandsathinlineofhorsehair，tooneendofwhichahookwasattached。Theholderbeingfrightened，droppedthelineandfled，andalthoughM。deLaubardemont，theexorcists，andthespectatorswaited，expectingeverymomentthatthecapwouldriseintotheair，itremainedquitefirmontheowner'shead，tothenosmallconfusionofPereLactance，who，allunwittingofthefiasco，continuedtoadjureBeherittokeephisword——ofcoursewithouttheleasteffect。
Altogether，thisperformanceofMay4th，wentanythingbutsmoothly。
Tillnownotrickhadsucceeded；neverbeforehadthedemonsbeensuchbunglers。Buttheexorcistsweresurethatthelasttrickwouldgooffwithoutahitch。Thiswas，thatanun，heldbysixmenchosenfortheirstrength，wouldsucceedinextricatingherselffromtheirgrasp，despitetheirutmostefforts。TwoCarmelitesandtwoCapuchinswentthroughtheaudienceandselectedsixgiantsfromamongtheportersandmessengersofthetown。
Thistimethedevilansweredexpectationsbyshowingthatifhewasnotcleverhewasstrong，foralthoughthesixmentriedtoholdherdownuponhermattress，thesuperiorwasseizedwithsuchterribleconvulsionsthatsheescapedfromtheirhands，throwingdownoneofthosewhotriedtodetainher。Thisexperiment，thricerenewed，succeededthrice，andbeliefseemedabouttoreturntotheassembly，whenaphysicianofSaumurnamedDuncan，suspectingtrickery，enteredthechoir，and，orderingthesixmentoretire，saidhewasgoingtotryandholdthesuperiordownunaided，andifsheescapedfromhishandshewouldmakeapublicapologyforhisunbelief。
M。deLaubardemonttriedtopreventthistest，byobjectingtoDuncanasanatheist，butasDuncanwasgreatlyrespectedonaccountofhisskillandprobity，therewassuchanoutcryatthisinterferencefromtheentireaudiencethatthecommissionerwasforcedtolethimhavehisway。Thesixporterswerethereforedismissed，butinsteadofresumingtheirplacesamongthespectatorstheyleftthechurchbythesacristy，whileDuncanapproachingthebedonwhichthesuperiorhadagainlaindown，seizedherbythewrist，andmakingcertainthathehadafirmhold，hetoldtheexorciststobegin。
Neveruptothattimehaditbeensoclearlyshownthattheconflictgoingonwasbetweenpublicopinionandtheprivateaimsofafew。A
hushfellonthechurch；everyonestoodmotionlessinsilentexpectancy。
ThemomentPereLactanceutteredthesacredwordstheconvulsionsofthesuperiorrecommenced；butitseemedasifDuncanhadmorestrengththanhissixpredecessorstogether，fortwistandwritheandstruggleasshewould，thesuperior'swristremainednonethelessfirmlyclaspedinDuncan'shand。Atlengthshefellbackonherbedexhausted，exclaiming!"
"It'snouse，it'snouse!He'sholdingme!"
Releaseherarm!"shoutedPereLactanceinarage。"Howcantheconvulsionstakeplaceifyouholdherthatway？"
"Ifsheisreallypossessedbyademon，"answeredDuncanaloud，"heshouldbestrongerthanI；foritisstatedintheritualthatamongthesymptomsofpossessionisstrengthbeyondone'syears，beyondone'scondition，andbeyondwhatisnatural。"
"Thatisbadlyargued，"saidLactancesharply:"ademonoutsidethebodyisindeedstrongerthanyou，butwhenenclosedinaweakframesuchasthisitcannotshowsuchstrength，foritseffortsareproportionedtothestrengthofthebodyitpossesses。"
"Enough!"saidM。deLaubardemont；"wedidnotcomeheretoarguewithphilosophers，buttobuildupthefaithofChristians。"
Withthatheroseupfromhischairamidstaterribleuproar，andtheassemblydispersedintheutmostdisorder，asiftheywereleavingatheatreratherthanachurch。
Theillsuccessofthisexhibitioncausedacessationofeventsofinterestforsomedays。TheresultwasthatagreatnumberofnoblemenandotherpeopleofqualitywhohadcometoLoudunexpectingtoseewondersandhadbeenshownonlycommonplacetransparenttricks，begantothinkitwasnotworthwhileremaininganylonger，andwenttheirseveralways——adefectionmuchbewailedbyPereTranquilleinalittleworkwhichhepublishedonthisaffair。
"Many，"hesays，"cametoseemiraclesatLoudun，butfindingthedevilsdidnotgivethemthesignstheyexpected，theywentawaydissatisfied，andswelledthenumbersoftheunbelieving。"
Itwasdetermined，therefore，inordertokeepthetownfull，topredictsomegreateventwhichwouldrevivecuriosityandincreasefaith。PereLactancethereforeannouncedthatonthe20thofMaythreeofthesevendevilsdwellinginthesuperiorwouldcomeout，leavingthreewoundsinherleftside，withcorrespondingholesinherchemise，bodice，anddress。ThethreepartingdevilswereAsmodeus，GresildesTrones，andAmandesPuissances。Headdedthatthesuperior'shandswouldbeboundbehindherbackatthetimethewoundsweregiven。
OntheappointeddaythechurchofSainte-Croixwasfilledtooverflowingwithsightseerscurioustoknowifthedevilswouldkeeptheirpromisesbetterthistimethanthelast。Physicianswereinvitedtoexaminethesuperior'ssideandherclothes；andamongstthosewhocameforwardwasDuncan，whosepresenceguaranteedthepublicagainstdeception；butnoneoftheexorcistsventuredtoexcludehim，despitethehatredinwhichtheyheldhim——ahatredwhichtheywouldhavemadehimfeelifhehadnotbeenunderthespecialprotectionofMarshalBreze。Thephysicianshavingcompletedtheirexamination，gavethefollowingcertificate:——
"Wehavefoundnowoundinthepatient'sside，norentinhervestments，andoursearchrevealednosharpinstrumenthiddeninthefoldsofherdress。"
Thesepreliminarieshavingbeengotthrough，PereLactancequestionedherinFrenchfornearlytwohours，heranswersbeinginthesamelanguage。Thenhepassedfromquestionstoadjurations:onthis，Duncancameforward，andsaidapromisehadbeengiventhatthesuperior'shandsshouldbetiedbehindherback，inorderthattheremightbenoroomforsuspicionoffraud，andthatthemomenthadnowarrivedtokeepthatpromise。PereLactanceadmittedthejusticeofthedemand，butsaidasthereweremanypresentwhohadneverseenthesuperiorinconvulsionssuchasafflictedthepossessed，itwouldbeonlyfairthatsheshouldbeexorcisedfortheirsatisfactionbeforebindingher。Accordinglyhebegantorepeattheformofexorcism，andthesuperiorwasimmediatelyattackedbyfrightfulconvulsions，whichinafewminutesproducedcompleteexhaustion，sothatshefellonherfacetotheground，andturningonherleftarmandside，remainedmotionlesssomeinstants，afterwhichsheutteredalowcry，followedbyagroan。Thephysiciansapproachedher，andDuncanseeinghertakeawayherhandfromherleftside，seizedherarm，andfoundthatthetipsofherfingerswerestainedwithblood。
Theythenexaminedherclothingandbody，andfoundherdress，bodice，andchemisecutthroughinthreeplaces，thecutsbeinglessthananinchlong。Therewerealsothreescratchesbeneaththeleftbreast，soslightastobescarcelymorethanskindeep，themiddleonebeingabarleycorninlength；still，fromallthreeasufficientquantityofbloodhadoozedtostainthechemiseabovethem。
ThistimethefraudwassoglaringthatevendeLaubardemontexhibitedsomesignsofconfusionbecauseofthenumberandqualityofthespectators。Hewouldnot，however，allowthedoctorstoincludeintheirreporttheiropinionastothemannerinwhichthewoundswereinflicted；butGrandierprotestedagainstthisinaStatementofFacts，whichhedrewupduringthenight，andwhichwasdistributednextday。
Itwasasfollows:
"Thatifthesuperiorhadnotgroanedthephysicianswouldnothaveremovedherclothes，andwouldhavesufferedhertobebound，withouthavingtheleastideathatthewoundswerealreadymade；thatthentheexorcistswouldhavecommandedthedevilstocomeforth，leavingthetracestheyhadpromised；thatthesuperiorwouldthenhavegonethroughthemostextraordinarycontortionsofwhichshewascapable，andhavehadalongfitof，convulsions，attheendofwhichshewouldhavebeendeliveredfromthethreedemons，andthewoundswouldhavebeenfoundinherbody；thathergroans，whichhadbetrayedher，hadbyGod'swillthwartedthebest-laidplansofmenanddevils。
Whydoyousuppose，"hewentontoask，"thatcleanincisedwounds，suchasasharpbladewouldmake，'werechosenforatoken，seeingthatthewoundsleftbydevilsresembleburns？Wasitnotbecauseitwaseasierforthesuperiortoconcealalancetwithwhichtowoundherselfslightly，thantoconcealanyinstrumentsufficientlyheatedtoburnher？Whydoyouthinktheleftsidewaschosenratherthantheforeheadandnose，ifnotbecauseshecouldnotgiveherselfawoundineitherofthoseplaceswithoutbeingseenbyallthespectators？Whywastheleftsideratherthantherightchosen，ifitwerenotthatitwaseasierforthesuperiortowoundherselfwithherrighthand，whichshehabituallyused，intheleftsidethanintheright？Whydidsheturnonherleftsideandarmandremainsolonginthatposition，ifitwerenottohidefromthebystanderstheinstrumentwithwhichshewoundedherself？Whatdoyouthinkcausedhertogroan，inspiteofallherresolution，ifitwerenotthepainofthewoundshegaveherself？forthemostcourageouscannotrepressashudderwhenthesurgeonopensavein。Whywereherfinger-tipsstainedwithblood，ifitwerenotthatthesecretedbladewassosmallthatthefingerswhichhelditcouldnotescapebeingreddenedbytheblooditcausedtoflow？
Howcameitthatthewoundsweresosuperficialthattheybarelywentdeeperthanthecuticle，whiledevilsareknowntorendandteardemoniacswhenleavingthem，ifitwerenotthatthesuperiordidnothateherselfenoughtoinflictdeepanddangerouswounds？"
DespitethislogicalprotestfromGrandierandthebarefacedknaveryoftheexorcist，M。deLaubardemontpreparedareportoftheexpulsionofthethreedevils，Asmodeus，Gresil，andAman，fromthebodyofsisterJeannedesAnges，throughthreewoundsbelowtheregionoftheheart；areportwhichwasafterwardsshamelesslyusedagainstGrandier，andofwhichthememorandumstillexists，amonument，notsomuchofcredulityandsuperstition，asofhatredandrevenge。PereLactance，inordertoallaythesuspicionswhichthepretendedmiraclehadarousedamongtheeye-wittnesses，askedBalaam，oneofthefourdemonswhostillremainedinthesuperior'sbody，thefollowingday，whyAsmodeusandhistwocompanionshadgoneoutagainsttheirpromise，whilethesuperior'sfaceandhandswerehiddenfromthepeople。
"Tolengthentheincredulityofcertainpeople，"answeredBalaam。
AsforPereTranquille，hepublishedalittlevolumedescribingthewholeaffair，inwhich，withtheirresponsiblefrivolityofatrueCapuchin，hepokedfunatthosewhocouldnotswallowthemiracleswholesale。
"Theyhadeveryreasontofeelvexed，"hesaid，"atthesmallcourtesyorcivilityshownbythedemonstopersonsoftheirmeritandstation；butiftheyhadexaminedtheirconsciences，perhapstheywouldhavefoundtherealreasonoftheirdiscontent，and，turningtheirangeragainstthemselves，wouldhavedonepenanceforhavingcometotheexorcismsledbyadepravedmoralsenseandapryingspirit。"
Nothingremarkablehappenedfromthe20thMaytillthe13thJune，adaywhichbecamenoteworthybyreasonofthesuperior'svomitingaquillafingerlong。ItwasdoubtlessthislastmiraclewhichbroughttheBishopofPoitierstoLoudun，"not，"ashesaidtothosewhocametopaytheirrespectstohim，"toexamineintothegenuinenessofthepossession，buttoforcethosetobelievewhostilldoubted，andtodiscovertheclasseswhichUrbainhadfoundedtoteachtheblackarttopupilsofbothsexes。"
Thereupontheopinionbegantoprevailamongthepeoplethatitwouldbeprudenttobelieveinthepossession，sincetheking，thecardinal-duke，andthebishopbelievedinit，andthatcontinueddoubtwouldlaythemopentothechargesofdisloyaltytotheirkingandtheirChurch，andofcomplicityinthecrimesofGrandier，andthusdrawdownuponthemtheruthlesspunishmentofLaubardemont。
"ThereasonwefeelsocertainthatourworkispleasingtoGodisthatitisalsopleasingtotheking，"wrotePereLactance。
Thearrivalofthebishopwasfollowedbyanewexorcism；andofthisaneye-witness，whowasagoodCatholicandafirmbelieverinpossession，hasleftusawrittendescription，moreinterestingthananywecouldgive。Weshallpresentittoourreaders，wordforword，asitstands:——
"OnFriday，23rdJune1634，ontheEveofSaintJohn，about3p。m。，theLordBishopofPoitiersandM。deLaubardemontbeingpresentinthechurchofSainte-CroixofLoudun，tocontinuetheexorcismsoftheUrsulinenuns，byorderofM，deLaubardemont，commissioner，UrbainGrandier，priest-in-charge，accusedanddenouncedasamagicianbythesaidpossessednuns，wasbroughtfromhisprisontothesaidchurch。
"TherewereproducedbythesaidcommissionertothesaidUrbainGrandierfourpactsmentionedseveraltimesbythesaidpossessednunsattheprecedingexorcisms，whichthedevilswhopossessedthenunsdeclaredtheyhadmadewiththesaidGrandieronseveraloccasions:therewasoneinespecialwhichLeviathangaveuponSaturdaythe17thinst。，composedofaninfant'sheartprocuredatawitches'sabbath，heldinOrleansin1631；theashesofaconsecratedwafer，blood，etc。，ofthesaidGrandier，wherebyLeviathanassertedhehadenteredthebodyofthesister，JeannedesAnges，thesuperiorofthesaidnuns，andtookpossessionofherwithhiscoadjutorsBeherit，Eazas，andBalaam，onDecember8th，1632。AnothersuchpactwascomposedofthepipsofGrenadaoranges，andwasgivenupbyAsmodeusandanumberofotherdevils。
IthadbeenmadetohinderBeheritfromkeepinghispromisetoliftthecommissioner'shattwoinchesfromhisheadandtoholdittherethelengthofaMiseyere，asasignthathehadcomeoutofthenun。OnallthesepactsbeingshowntothesaidGrandier，hesaid，withoutastonishment，butwithmuchfirmnessandresolution，thathehadnoknowledgeofthemwhatever，thathehadnevermadethem，andhadnottheskillbywhichtomakethem，thathehadheldnocommunicationwithdevils，andknewnothingofwhattheyweretalkingabout。Areportofallthisbeingmadeandshowntohim，hesignedit。
"Thisdone，theybroughtallthepossessednuns，tothenumberofelevenortwelve，includingthreelaysisters，alsopossessed，intothechoirofthesaidchurch，accompaniedbyagreatmanymonks，Carmelites，Capuchins，andFranciscans；andbythreephysiciansandasurgeon。Thesistersonenteringmadesomewantonremarks，callingGrandiertheirmaster，andexhibitinggreatdelightatseeinghim。
"ThereuponPereLactanceandGabriel，aFranciscanbrother，andoneoftheexorcists，exhortedallpresentwithgreatfervourtoliftuptheirheartstoGodandtomakeanactofcontritionfortheoffencescommittedagainstHisdivinemajesty，andtopraythatthenumberoftheirsinsmightnotbeanobstacletothefulfilmentoftheplanswhichHeinHisprovidencehadformedforthepromotionofHisgloryonthatoccasion，andtogiveoutwardproofoftheirheartfeltgriefbyrepeatingtheConfiteorasapreparationfortheblessingoftheLordBishopofPoitiers。
Thishavingbeendone，hewentontosaythatthematterinquestionwasofsuchmomentandsoimportantinitsrelationtothegreattruthsoftheRomanCatholicChurch，thatthisconsiderationaloneoughttobesufficienttoexcitetheirdevotion；andfurthermore，thattheafflictionofthesepoorsisterswassopeculiarandhadlastedsolong，thatcharityimpelledallthosewhohadtherighttoworkfortheirdeliveranceandtheexpulsionofthedevils，toemploythepowerentrustedtothemwiththeirofficeinaccomplishingsoworthyataskbytheformsofexorcismprescribedbytheChurchtoitsministers；thenaddressingGrandier，hesaidthathehavingbeenanointedasapriestbelongedtothisnumber，andthatheoughttohelpwithallhispowerandwithallhisenergy，ifthebishopwerepleasedtoallowhimtodoso，andtoremithissuspensionfromauthority。Thebishophavinggrantedpermission，theFranciscanfriarofferedastoletoGrandier，who，turningtowardstheprelate，askedhimifhemighttakeit。Onreceivingareplyintheaffirmative，hepasseditroundhisneck，andonbeingofferedacopyoftheritual，heaskedpermissiontoacceptitasbefore，andreceivedthebishop'sblessing，prostratinghimselfathisfeettokissthem；whereupontheVeniCreatorSpiritushavingbeensung，herose，andaddressingthebishop，asked——
"'Mylord，whomamItoexorcise？'"
Thesaidbishophavingreplied——
"'Thesemaidens。'
"Grandieragainasked——
"'Whatmaidens？'
"'Thepossessedmaidens，'wastheanswer。
"'Thatistosay，mylord，'saidhe；"thatIamobligedtobelieveinthefactofpossession。TheChurchbelievesinit，thereforeItoobelieve；butIcannotbelievethatasorcerercancauseaChristiantobepossessedunlesstheChristianconsent。'
"Uponthis，someofthosepresentexclaimedthatitwashereticaltoprofesssuchabelief；thatthecontrarywasindubitable，believedbythewholeChurchandapprovedbytheSorbonne。Towhichherepliedthathismindonthatpointwasnotyetirrevocablymadeup，thatwhathehadsaidwassimplyhisownidea，andthatinanycasehesubmittedtotheopinionofthewholebodyofwhichhewasonlyamember；thatnobodywasdeclaredahereticforhavingdoubts，butonlyforpersistinginthem，andthatwhathehadadvancedwasonlyforthepurposeofdrawinganassurancefromthebishopthatindoingwhathewasabouttodohewouldnotbeabusingtheauthorityoftheChurch。SisterCatherinehavingbeenbroughttohimbytheFranciscanasthemostignorantofallthenuns，andtheleastopentothesuspicionofbeingacquaintedwithLatin，hebegantheexorcismintheformprescribedbytheritual。Butassoonashebegantoquestionherhewasinterrupted，foralltheothernunswereattackedbydevils，andutteredstrangeandterriblenoises。
Amongsttherest，SisterClairecamenear，andreproachedhimforhisblindnessandobstinacy，sothathewasforcedtoleavethenunwithwhomhehadbegun，andaddresshiswordstothesaidSisterClaire，whoduringtheentiredurationoftheexorcismcontinuedtotalkatrandom，withoutpayinganyheedtoGrandier'swords，whichwerealsointerruptedbythemothersuperior，towhomheoflastgaveattention，leavingSisterClaire。Butitistobenotedthatbeforebeginningtoexorcisethesuperior，hesaid，speakinginLatinasheretofore，thatknowingsheunderstoodLatin，hewouldquestionherinGreek。Towhichthedevilrepliedbythemouthofthepossessed"'Ah!howcleveryouare!YouknowitwasoneofthefirstconditionsofourpactthatIwasnottoanswerinGreek。'
"Uponthis，hecried，'Opulchraillusio，egregicaevasio!'
Osuperbfraud，outrageousevasion!
"HewasthentoldthathewaspermittedtoexorciseinGreek，providedhefirstwrotedownwhathewishedtosay，andthesuperiorhereuponsaidthatheshouldbeansweredinwhatlanguagehepleased；
butitwasimpossible，forassoonasheopenedhismouthallthenunsrecommencedtheirshrieksandparoxysms，showingunexampleddespair，andgivingwaytoconvulsions，whichineachpatientassumedanewform，andpersistinginaccusingGrandierofusingmagicandtheblackarttotormentthem；offeringtowringhisneckiftheywereallowed，andtryingtooutragehisfeelingsineverypossibleway。ButthisbeingagainsttheprohibitionsoftheChurch，thepriestsandmonkspresentworkedwiththeutmostzealtocalmthefrenzywhichhadseizedonthenuns。Grandiermeanwhileremainedcalmandunmoved，gazingfixedlyatthemaniacs，protestinghisinnocence，andprayingtoGodforprotection。ThenaddressinghimselftothebishopandM。deLaubardemont，heimploredthembytheecclesiasticalandroyalauthorityofwhichtheyweretheministerstocommandthesedemonstowringhisneck，oratleasttoputamarkinhisforehead，ifhewereguiltyofthecrimeofwhichtheyaccusedhim，thatthegloryofGodmightbeshownforth，theauthorityoftheChurchvindicated，andhimselfbroughttoconfusion，providedthatthenunsdidnottouchhimwiththeirhands。
Buttothisthebishopandthecommissionerwouldnotconsent，becausetheydidnotwanttoberesponsibleforwhatmighthappentohim，neitherwouldtheyexposetheauthorityoftheChurchtothewilesofthedevils，whomighthavemadesomepactonthatpointwithGrandier。Thentheexorcists，tothenumberofeight，havingcommandedthedevilstobesilentandtoceasetheirtumult，orderedabraziertobebrought，andintothistheythrewthepactsonebyone，whereupontheconvulsionsreturnedwithsuchawfulviolenceandconfusedcries，risingintofrenziedshrieks，andaccompaniedbysuchhorriblecontortions，thatthescenemighthavebeentakenforanorgyofwitches，wereitnotforthesanctityoftheplaceandthecharacterofthosepresent，ofwhomGrandier，inoutwardseemingatleast，wastheleastamazedofany，althoughhehadthemostreason。Thedevilscontinuedtheiraccusations，citingtheplaces，thedays，andthehoursoftheirintercoursewithhim；thefirstspellhecastonthem，hisscandalousbehaviour，hisinsensibility，hisabjurationsofGodandthefaith。Toallthishecalmlyreturnedthattheseaccusationswerecalumnies，andallthemoreunjustconsideringhisprofession；
thatherenouncedSatanandallhisfiends，havingneitherknowledgenorcomprehensionofthem；thatinspiteofallhewasaChristian，andwhatwasmore，ananointedpriest；thatthoughheknewhimselftobeasinfulman，yethistrustwasinGodandinHisChrist；thathehadneverindulgedinsuchabominations，endthatitwouldbeimpossibletofurnishanypertinentandconvincingproofofhisguilt。