第4章

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；andinspiteofanyappealorcounterchargethiscausewillnotbedelayed(butwithoutprejudicetotherightofappealinothercauses)，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，whosedaughterwasmarriedtohis(Lagrange"s)brother，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，mistakingthewordquotiesforquando(when)。

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。