第3章
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；andhefurtherprayedthatallthisshouldbeperformedinspiteofanyoppositionorappealwhatsoever(butwithoutprejudicetotherightofappeal)，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。
"(Signed)HENRILOUIS，BishopofPoitiers。
"(Countersigned)ByorderofthesaidLordBishop，"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，thankstohis(Mignon"s)exertionsandthoseofBarre，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。