OnSunday，the26thofNovember，1631，therewasgreatexcitementinthelittletownofLoudun，especiallyinthenarrowstreetswhichledtothechurchofSaint-Pierreinthemarketplace，fromthegateofwhichthetownwasenteredbyanyonecomingfromthedirectionoftheabbeyofSaint-Jouin-les-Marmes。Thisexcitementwascausedbytheexpectedarrivalofapersonagewhohadbeenmuchinpeople'smouthslatterlyinLoudun，andaboutwhomtherewassuchdifferenceofopinionthatdiscussiononthesubjectbetweenthosewhowereonhissideandthosewhowereagainsthimwascarriedonwithtrueprovincialacrimony。Itwaseasytosee，bythevariedexpressionsonthefacesofthosewhoturnedthedoorstepsintoimproviseddebatingclubs，howvariedwerethefeelingswithwhichthemanwouldbewelcomedwhohadhimselfformallyannouncedtofriendsandenemiesaliketheexactdateofhisreturn。
　　Aboutnineo'clockakindofsympatheticvibrationranthroughthecrowd，andwiththerapidityofaflashoflightningthewords，"Thereheis!thereheis!"passedfromgrouptogroup。Atthiscrysomewithdrewintotheirhousesandshuttheirdoorsanddarkenedtheirwindows，asifitwereadayofpublicmourning，whileothersopenedthemwide，asiftoletjoyenter。Inafewmomentstheuproarandconfusionevokedbythenewswassucceededbythedeepsilenceofbreathlesscuriosity。
　　Then，throughthesilence，afigureadvanced，carryingabranchoflaurelinonehandasatokenoftriumph。
　　Itwasthatofayoungmanoffromthirty-twotothirty-fouryearsofage，withagracefulandwell-knitframe，anaristocraticairandfaultlesslybeautifulfeaturesofasomewhathaughtyexpression。Althoughhehadwalkedthreeleaguestoreachthetown，theecclesiasticalgarbwhichheworewasnotonlyelegantbutofdaintyfreshness。Hiseyesturnedtoheaven，andsinginginasweetvoicepraisetotheLord，hepassedthroughthestreetsleadingtothechurchinthemarket-placewithaslowandsolemngait，withoutvouchsafingalook，aword，oragesturetoanyone。Theentirecrowd，fallingintostep，marchedbehindhimasheadvanced，singinglikehim，thesingersbeingtheprettiestgirlsinLoudun，forwehaveforgottentosaythatthecrowdconsistedalmostentirelyofwomen。
　　MeanwhiletheobjectofallthiscommotionarrivedatlengthattheporchofthechurchofSaint-Pierre。Ascendingthesteps，hekneltatthetopandprayedinalowvoice，thenrisinghetouchedthechurchdoorswithhislaurelbranch，andtheyopenedwideasifbymagic，revealingthechoirdecoratedandilluminatedasifforoneofthefourgreatfeastsoftheyear，andwithallitsscholars，choirboys，singers，beadles，andvergersintheirplaces。Glancingaround，heforwhomtheywerewaitingcameupthenave，passedthroughthechoir，kneltforasecondtimeatthefootofthealtar，uponwhichhelaidthebranchoflaurel，thenputtingonarobeaswhiteassnowandpassingthestolearoundhisneck，hebeganthecelebrationofthemassbeforeacongregationcomposedofallthosewhohadfollowedhim。
　　AttheendofthemassaTeDeumwassung。
　　HewhohadjustrenderedthankstoGodforhisownvictorywithallthesolemnceremonialusuallyreservedforthetriumphsofkingswasthepriestUrbainGrandier。Twodaysbefore，hehadbeenacquitted，invirtueofadecisionpronouncedbyM。d'EscoubleaudeSourdis，ArchbishopofBordeaux，ofanaccusationbroughtagainsthimofwhichhehadbeendeclaredguiltybyamagistrate，andinpunishmentofwhichhehadbeencondemnedtofastonbreadandwatereveryFridayforthreemonths，andforbiddentoexercisehispriestlyfunctionsinthedioceseofPoitiersforfiveyearsandinthetownofLoudunforever。
　　Thesearethecircumstancesunderwhichthesentencehadbeenpassedandthejudgmentreversed。
　　UrbainGrandierwasbornatRovere，avillagenearSable，alittletownofBas-Maine。HavingstudiedthescienceswithhisfatherPierreandhisuncleClaudeGrandier，whowerelearnedastrologersandalchemists，heentered，attheageoftwelve，theJesuitcollegeatBordeaux，havingalreadyreceivedtheordinaryeducationofayoungman。Theprofessorssoonfoundthatbesideshisconsiderableattainmentshehadgreatnaturalgiftsforlanguagesandoratory；
　　theythereforemadeofhimathoroughclassicalscholar，andinordertodevelophisoratoricaltalentencouragedhimtopractisepreaching。Theysoongrewveryfondofapupilwhowaslikelytobringthemsomuchcredit，andassoonashewasoldenoughtotakeholyorderstheygavehimthecureofsoulsintheparishofSaint-
　　PierreinLoudun，whichwasinthegiftofthecollege。Whenhehadbeensomemonthsinstalledthereasapriest-in-charge，hereceivedaprebendalstall，thankstothesamepatrons，inthecollegiatechurchofSainte-Croix。
　　Itiseasytounderstandthatthebestowalofthesetwopositionsonsoyoungaman，whodidnotevenbelongtotheprovince，madehimseeminsomesortausurperofrightsandprivilegesbelongingtothepeopleofthecountry，anddrewuponhimtheenvyofhisbrother-
　　ecclesiastics。Therewere，infact，manyotherreasonswhyUrbainshouldbeanobjectofjealousytothese:first，aswehavealreadysaid，hewasveryhandsome，thentheinstructionwhichhehadreceivedfromhisfatherhadopenedtheworldofsciencetohimandgivenhimthekeytoathousandthingswhichweremysteriestotheignorant，butwhichhefathomedwiththegreatestease。Furthermore，thecomprehensivecourseofstudywhichhehadfollowedattheJesuitcollegehadraisedhimaboveacrowdofprejudices，whicharesacredtothevulgar，butforwhichhemadenosecretofhiscontempt；andlastly，theeloquenceofhissermonshaddrawntohischurchthegreaterpartoftheregularcongregationsoftheotherreligiouscommunities，especiallyofthemendicantorders，whohadtillthen，inwhatconcernedpreaching，borneawaythepalmatLoudun。Aswehavesaid，allthiswasmorethanenoughtoexcite，firstjealousy，andthenhatred。Andbothwereexcitedinnoordinarydegree。
　　Weallknowhoweasilytheill-naturedgossipofasmalltowncanrousetheangrycontemptofthemassesforeverythingwhichisbeyondorabovethem。InawidersphereUrbainwouldhaveshonebyhismanygifts，but，coopedupashewaswithinthewallsofalittletownanddeprivedofairandspace，allthatmighthaveconducedtohissuccessinParisledtohisdestructionatLoudun。
　　ItwasalsounfortunateforUrbainthathischaracter，farfromwinningpardonforhisgenius，augmentedthehatredwhichthelatterinspired。Urbain，whoinhisintercoursewithhisfriendswascordialandagreeable，wassarcastic，cold，andhaughtytohisenemies。Whenhehadonceresolvedonacourse，hepursueditunflinchingly；hejealouslyexactedallthehonourduetotherankatwhichhehadarrived，defendingitasthoughitwereaconquest；healsoinsistedonenforcingallhislegalrights，andheresentedtheoppositionandangrywordsofcasualopponentswithaharshnesswhichmadethemhislifelongenemies。
　　ThefirstexamplewhichUrbaingaveofthisinflexibilitywasin1620，whenhegainedalawsuitagainstapriestnamedMeunier。HecausedthesentencetobecarriedoutwithsuchrigourthatheawokeaninextinguishablehatredinMeunier'smind，whicheverafterburstforthontheslightestprovocation。
　　Asecondlawsuit，whichhelikewisegained；wasonewhichheundertookagainstthechapterofSainte-Croixwithregardtoahouse，hisclaimtowhichthechapter，disputed。Hereagainhedisplayedthesamedeterminationtoexacthisstrictlegalrightstothelastiota，andunfortunatelyMignon，theattorneyoftheunsuccessfulchapter，wasarevengeful，vindictive，andambitiousman；toocommonplaceevertoarriveatahighposition，andyettoomuchabovehissurroundingstobecontentwiththesecondarypositionwhichheoccupied。Thisman，whowasacanonofthecollegiatechurchofSainte-CroixanddirectoroftheUrsulineconvent，willhaveanimportantparttoplayinthefollowingnarrative。
　　BeingashypocriticalasUrbainwasstraightforward，hisambitionwastogainwhereverhisnamewasknownareputationforexaltedpiety；hethereforeaffectedinhislifetheasceticismofananchoriteandtheself-denialofasaint。Ashehadmuchexperienceinecclesiasticallawsuits，helookedonthechapter'slossofthisone，ofwhichhehadinsomesortguaranteedthesuccess，asapersonalhumiliation，sothatwhenUrbaingavehimselfairsoftriumphandexactedthelastletterofhisbond，asinthecaseofMeunier，heturnedMignonintoanenemywhowasnotonlymorerelentlessbutmoredangerousthantheformer。
　　Inthemeantime，andinconsequenceofthislawsuit，acertainBarot，anuncleofMignonandhispartneraswell，gotupadisputewithUrbain，butashewasamanbelowmediocrity，Urbainrequiredinordertocrushhimonlytoletfallfromtheheightofhissuperiorityafewofthosedisdainfulwordswhichbrandasdeeplyasared-hotiron。Thisman，thoughtotallywantinginparts，wasveryrich，andhavingnochildrenwasalwayssurroundedbyahordeofrelatives，everyoneofwhomwasabsorbedintheattempttomakehimselfsoagreeablethathisnamewouldappearinBarot'swill。
　　Thisbeingso，themockingwordswhichwereraineddownonBarotspatterednotonlyhimselfbutalsoallthosewhohadsidedwithhiminthequarrel，andthusaddedconsiderablytothetaleofUrbain'senemies。
　　Aboutthisepochastillgravereventtookplace。Amongstthemostassiduousfrequentersoftheconfessionalinhischurchwasayoungandprettygirl，Juliebyname，thedaughteroftheking'sattorney，Trinquant——Trinquantbeing，aswellasBarot，anuncleofMignon。
　　Nowithappenedthatthisyounggirlfellintosuchastateofdebilitythatshewasobligedtokeepherroom。Oneofherfriends，namedMarthePelletier，givingupsociety，ofwhichshewasveryfond，undertooktonursethepatient，andcarriedherdevotionsofarastoshutherselfupinthesameroomwithher。WhenJulieTrinquanthadrecoveredandwasableagaintotakeherplaceintheworld，itcameoutthatMarthePelletier，duringherweeksofretirement，hadgivenbirthtoachild，whichhadbeenbaptizedandthenputouttonurse。Now，byoneofthoseoddwhimswhichsooftentakepossessionofthepublicmind，everyoneinLoudunpersistedinassertingthattherealmotheroftheinfantwasnotshewhohadacknowledgedherselfassuch——that，inshort，MarthePelletierhadsoldhergoodnametoherfriendJulieforasumofmoney；andofcourseitfollowedasamatteraboutwhichtherecouldbenopossibledoubt，thatUrbainwasthefather。
　　Trinquanthearingofthereportsabouthisdaughter，tookuponhimselfasking'sattorneytohaveMarthePelletierarrestedandimprisoned。Beingquestionedaboutthechild，sheinsistedthatshewasitsmother，andwouldtakeitsmaintenanceuponherself。Tohavebroughtachildintotheworldundersuchcircumstanceswasasin，butnotacrime；TrinquantwasthereforeobligedtosetMartheatliberty，andtheabuseofjusticeofwhichhewasguiltyservedonlytospreadthescandalfartherandtostrengthenthepublicinthebeliefithadtakenup。
　　Hitherto，whetherthroughtheinterventionoftheheavenlypowers，orbymeansofhisowncleverness，UrbainGrandierhadcomeoutvictorineverystruggleinwhichhehadengaged，buteachvictorhadaddedtothenumberofhisenemies，andthesewerenowsonumerousthatanyotherthanhewouldhavebeenalarmed，andhavetriedeithertoconciliatethemortotakeprecautionsagainsttheirmalice；butUrbain，wrappedinhispride，andperhapsconsciousofhisinnocence，paidnoattentiontothecounselsofhismostfaithfulfollowers，butwentonhiswayunheeding。
　　AlltheopponentswhomtillnowUrbainhadencounteredhadbeenentirelyunconnectedwitheachother，andhadeachstruggledforhisownindividualends。Urbain'senemies，believingthatthecauseofhissuccesswastobefoundinthewantofcooperationamongthemselves，nowdeterminedtouniteinordertocrushhim。Inconsequence，aconferencewasheldatBarot's，atwhich，besidesBarothimself，Meunier，Trinquant，andMignontookpart，andthelatterhadalsobroughtwithhimoneMenuau，aking'scounselandhisownmostintimatefriend，whowas，however，influencedbyothermotivesthanfriendshipinjoiningtheconspiracy。Thefactwas，thatMenuauwasinlovewithawomanwhohadsteadfastlyrefusedtoshowhimanyfavour，andhehadgotfirmlyfixedinhisheadthatthereasonforherelseinexplicableindifferenceanddisdainwasthatUrbainhadbeenbeforehandwithhiminfindinganentrancetoherheart。TheobjectofthemeetingwastoagreeastothebestmeansofdrivingthecommonenemyoutofLoudonanditsneighbourhood。
　　Urbain'slifewassowellorderedthatitpresentedlittlewhichhisenemiescoulduseasahandlefortheirpurpose。Hisonlyfoibleseemedtobeapredilectionforfemalesociety；whileinreturnallthewivesanddaughtersoftheplace，withtheunerringinstinctoftheirsex，seeing，thatthenewpriestwasyoung，handsome，andeloquent，chosehim，wheneveritwaspossible，astheirspiritualdirector。Asthispreferencehadalreadyoffendedmanyhusbandsandfathers，thedecisiontheconspiratorsarrivedatwasthatonthissidealonewasGrandiervulnerable，andthattheironlychanceofsuccesswastoattackhimwherehewasweakest。Almostatonce，therefore，thevaguereportswhichhadbeenfloatingaboutbegantoattainacertaindefiniteness:therewereallusionsmade，thoughnonamewasmentioned，toayounggirlinLoudun；whoinspiteofGrandier'sfrequentunfaithfulnessyetremainedhismistress-in-
　　chief；thenitbegantobewhisperedthattheyounggirl，havinghadconscientiousscruplesaboutherloveforUrbain，hehadallayedthembyanactofsacrilege——thatistosay，hehad，aspriest，inthemiddleofthenight，performedtheserviceofmarriagebetweenhimselfandhismistress。Themoreabsurdthereports，themorecredencedidtheygain，anditwasnotlongtilleveryoneinLoudunbelievedthemtrue，althoughnoonewasabletonamethemysteriousheroineofthetalewhohadhadthecouragetocontractamarriagewithapriest；andconsideringhowsmallLoudunwas，thiswasmostextraordinary。
　　ResoluteandfullofcourageaswasGrandier，atlengthhecouldnotconcealfromhimselfthathispathlayoverquicksands:hefeltthatslanderwassecretlyclosinghimround，andthatassoonashewaswellentangledinhershinyfolds，shewouldrevealherselfbyraisingherabhorredhead，andthatthenamortalcombatbetweenthemwouldbegin。
　　Butitwasoneofhisconvictionsthattodrawbackwastoacknowledgeone'sguilt；besides，asfarashewasconcerned，itwasprobablytoolateforhimtoretracehissteps。Hethereforewentonhisway，asunyielding，asscornful，andashaughtyasever。
　　AmongthosewhoweresupposedtobemostactiveinspreadingtheslandersrelativetoUrbainwasamancalledDuthibaut，apersonofimportanceintheprovince，whowassupposedbythetownspeopletoholdveryadvancedviews，andwhowasa"SirOracle"towhomthecommonplaceandvulgarturnedforenlightenment。Someofthisman'sstricturesonGrandierwerereportedtothelatter，especiallysomecalumniestowhichDuthibauthadgivenventattheMarquisdeBellay's；andoneday，Grandier，arrayedinpriestlygarments，wasabouttoenterthechurchofSainte-Croixtoassistintheservice，heencounteredDuthibautattheentrance，andwithhisusualhaughtydisdainaccusedhimofslander。Duthibaut，whohadgotintothehabitofsayinganddoingwhatevercameintohisheadwithoutfearofbeingcalledtoaccount，partlybecauseofhiswealthandpartlybecauseoftheinfluencehehadgainedoverthenarrow-minded，whoaresonumerousinasmallprovincialtown，andwhoregardedhimasbeingmuchabovethem，wassofuriousatthispublicreprimand。
　　thatheraisedhiscaneandstruckUrbain。
　　TheopportunitywhichthisaffrontaffordedGrandierofbeingrevengedonallhisenemieswastooprecioustobeneglected，but，convinced，withtoomuchreason，thathewouldneverobtainjusticefromthelocalauthorities，althoughtherespectduetotheChurchhadbeeninfringed，inhispersonhedecidedtoappealtoKingLouisXIII，whodeignedtoreceivehim，anddecidingthattheinsultofferedtoapriestrobedinthesacredvestmentsshouldbeexpiated，sentthecausetothehighcourtofParliament，withinstructionsthatthecaseagainstDuthibautshouldbetriedanddecidedthere。
　　HereuponUrbain'senemiessawtheyhadnotimetolose，andtookadvantageofhisabsencetomakecounteraccusationsagainsthim。
　　Twoworthiesbeings，namedCherbonneauandBugrau，agreedtobecomeinformers，andwerebroughtbeforetheecclesiasticalmagistrateatPoitiers。TheyaccusedGrandierofhavingcorruptedwomenandgirls，ofindulginginblasphemyandprofanity，ofneglectingtoreadhisbreviarydaily，andofturningGod'ssanctuaryintoaplaceofdebaucheryandprostitution。Theinformationwastakendown，andLouisChauvet，thecivillieutenant，andthearchpriestofSaint-
　　MarcelandtheLoudenois，wereappointedtoinvestigatethematter，sothat，whileUrbainwasinstitutingproceedingsagainstDuthibautinParis，informationwaslaidagainsthimselfinLoudun。Thismatterthussetgoingwaspushedforwardwithalltheacrimonysocommoninreligiousprosecutions；Trinquantappearedasawitness，anddrewmanyothersafterhim，andwhateveromissionswerefoundinthedepositionswereinterpolatedaccordingtotheneedsoftheprosecution。TheresultwasthatthecasewhenfullygotupappearedtobesoseriousthatitwassenttotheBishopofPoitiersfortrial。NowthebishopwasnotonlysurroundedbythefriendsofthosewhowerebringingtheaccusationsagainstGrandier，buthadhimselfagrudgeagainsthim。IthadhappenedsometimebeforethatUrbain，thecasebeingurgent，haddispensedwiththeusualnoticeofamarriage，andthebishop，knowingthis，foundinthepaperslaidbeforehim，superficialastheywere，sufficientevidenceagainstUrbaintojustifyhiminissuingawarrantforhisapprehension，whichwasdrawnupinthefollowingwords:
　　"Henri-Louis，ChataignierdelaRochepezai，bydivinemercyBishopofPoitiers，inviewofthechargesandinformationsconveyedtousbythearchpriestofLoudunagainstUrbainGrandier，priest-in-chargeoftheChurchofSaint-PierreintheMarket-PlaceatLoudun，invirtueofacommissionappointedbyusdirectedtothesaidarchpriest，orinhisabsencetothePriorofChassaignes，inviewalsooftheopiniongivenbyourattorneyuponthesaidcharges，haveorderedanddoherebyorderthatUrbainGrandier，theaccused，bequietlytakentotheprisoninourpalaceinPoitiers，ifitsobethathebetakenandapprehended，andifnot，thathebesummonedtoappearathisdomicilewithinthreedays，bythefirstapparitor-priest，ortonsuredclerk，andalsobythefirstroyalsergeant，uponthiswarrant，andwerequesttheaidofthesecularauthorities，andtothem，ortoanyoneofthem，weherebygivepowerandauthoritytocarryoutthisdecreenotwithstandinganyoppositionorappeal，andthesaidGrandierhavingbeenheard，suchadecisionwillbegivenbyourattorneyasthefactsmayseemtowarrant。
　　"GivenatDissaythe22nddayofOctober1629，andsignedintheoriginalasfollows:
　　"HENRI-LOUIS，BishopofPoitiers。"
　　Grandierwas，aswehavesaid，atPariswhentheseproceedingsweretakenagainsthim，conductingbeforetheParliamenthiscaseagainstDuthibaut。Thelatterreceivedacopyofthedecisionarrivedatbythebishop，beforeGrandierknewofthechargesthathadbeenformulatedagainsthim，andhavinginthecourseofhisdefencedrawnaterriblepictureoftheimmoralityofGrandier'slife，heproducedasaproofofthetruthofhisassertionsthedamningdocumentwhichhadbeenputintohishands。Thecourt，notknowingwhattothinkoftheturnaffairshadtaken，decidedthatbeforeconsideringtheaccusationsbroughtbyGrandier，hemustappearbeforehisbishoptoclearhimselfofthecharges，broughtagainsthimself。ConsequentlyheleftParisatonce，andarrivedatLoudun，whereheonlystayedlongenoughtolearnwhathadhappenedinhisabsence，andthenwentontoPoitiersinordertodrawuphisdefence。
　　Hehad，however，nosoonersetfootintheplacethanhewasarrestedbyasheriff'sofficernamedChatry，andconfinedintheprisonoftheepiscopalpalace。
　　ItwasthemiddleofNovember，andtheprisonwasatalltimescoldanddamp，yetnoattentionwaspaidtoGrandier'srequestthatheshouldbetransferredtosomeotherplaceofconfinement。Convincedbythisthathisenemieshadmoreinfluencethanhehadsupposed，heresolvedtopossesshissoulinpatience，andremainedaprisonerfortwomonths，duringwhichevenhiswarmestfriendsbelievedhimlost，whileDuthibautopenlylaughedattheproceedingsinstitutedagainsthimself，whichhenowbelievedwouldnevergoanyfarther，andBarothadalreadyselectedoneofhisheirs，acertainIsmaelBoulieau，assuccessortoUrbainaspriestandprebendary。
　　Itwasarrangedthatthecostsofthelawsuitshouldbedefrayedoutofafundraisedbytheprosecutors，therichpayingforthepoor；
　　forasallthewitnesseslivedatLoudunandthetrialwastotakeplaceatPoitiers，considerableexpensewouldbeincurredbythenecessityofbringingsomanypeoplesuchadistance；butthelustofvengeanceprovedstrongerthanthelustofgold；thesubscriptionexpectedfromeachbeingestimatedaccordingtohisfortune，eachpaidwithoutamurmur，andattheendoftwomonthsthecasewasconcluded。
　　Inspiteoftheevidentpainstakenbytheprosecutiontostraintheevidenceagainstthedefendant，theprincipalchargecouldnotbesustained，whichwasthathehadledastraymanywivesanddaughtersinLoudun。NoonewomancameforwardtocomplainofherruinbyGrandier；thenameofnosinglevictimofhisallegedimmoralitywasgiven。Theconductofthecasewasthemostextraordinaryeverseen；
　　itwasevidentthattheaccusationswerefoundedonhearsayandnotonfact，andyetadecisionandsentenceagainstGrandierwerepronouncedonJanuary3rd，1630。Thesentencewasasfollows:ForthreemonthstofasteachFridayonbreadandwaterbywayofpenance；tobeinhibitedfromtheperformanceofclericalfunctionsinthedioceseofPoitiersforfiveyears，andinthetownofLoudunforever。
　　Bothpartiesappealedfromthisdecision:GrandiertotheArchbishopofBordeaux，andhisadversaries，ontheadviceoftheattorneytothediocese，pleadingamiscarriageofjustice，totheParliamentofParis；thislastappealbeingmadeinordertooverwhelmGrandierandbreakhisspirit。ButGrandier'sresolutionenabledhimtofacethisattackboldly:heengagedcounseltodefendhiscasebeforetheParliament，whilehehimselfconductedhisappealtotheArchbishopofBordeaux。Butasthereweremanynecessarywitnesses，anditwasalmostimpossibletobringthemallsuchagreatdistance，thearchiepiscopalcourtsenttheappealtothepresidialcourtofPoitiers。ThepublicprosecutorofPoitiersbeganafreshinvestigation，whichbeingconductedwithimpartialitywasnotencouragingtoGrandier'saccusers。Therehadbeenmanyconflictingstatementsmadebythewitnesses，andthesewerenowrepeated:otherwitnesseshaddeclaredquiteopenlythattheyhadbeenbribed；othersagainstatedthattheirdepositionshadbeentamperedwith；andamongsttheselatterwasacertainpriestnamedMechin，andalsothatIshmaelBoulieauwhomBarothadbeeninsuchahurrytoselectascandidateforthereversionofGrandier'spreferments。Boulieau'sdepositionhasbeenlost，butwecanlayMechin'sbeforethereader，fortheoriginalhasbeenpreserved，justasitissuedfromhispen:
　　"I，GervaisMechin，curate-in-chargeoftheChurchofSaint-PierreintheMarketPlaceatLoudun，certifybythesepresents，signedbymyhand，torelievemyconscienceastoacertainreportwhichisbeingspreadabroad，thatIhadsaidinsupportofanaccusationbroughtbyGillesRobert，archpriest，againstUrbainGrandier，priest-in-chargeofSaint-Pierre，thatIhadfoundthesaidGrandierlyingwithwomenandgirlsinthechurchofSaintPierre，thedoorsbeingclosed。
　　"ITEM，thatonseveraldifferentoccasions，atunsuitablehoursbothdayandnight，IhadseenwomenandgirlsdisturbthesaidGrandierbygoingintohisbedroom，andthatsomeofthesaidwomenremainedwithhimfromoneo'clockintheafternoontillthreeo'clockthenextmorning，theirmaidsbringingthemtheirsuppersandgoingawayagainatonce。
　　"ITEM，thatIhadseenthesaidGrandierinthechurch，thedoorsbeingopen，butthatassoonassomewomenenteredheclosedthem。
　　AsIearnestlydesirethatsuchreportsshouldcease，IdeclarebythesepresentsthatIhaveneverseenthesaidGrandierwithwomenorgirlsinthechurch，thedoorsbeingclosed；thatIhaveneverfoundhimtherealonewithwomenorgirls；thatwhenhespoketoeithersomeoneelsewasalwayspresent，andthedoorswereopen；andastotheirposture，IthinkImadeitsufficientlyclearwheninthewitness-boxthatGrandierwasseatedandthewomenscatteredoverthechurch；furthermore，IhaveneverseeneitherwomenorgirlsenterGrandier'sbedroomeitherbydayornight，althoughitistruethatI
　　haveheardpeopleinthecorridorcomingandgoinglateintheevening，whotheywereIcannotsay，butabrotherofthesaidGrandiersleepscloseby；neitherhaveIanyknowledgethateitherwomenorgirls，hadtheirsuppersbroughttothesaidroom。Ihavealsoneversaidthatheneglectedthereadingofhisbreviary，becausethatwouldbecontrarytothetruth，seeingthatonseveraloccasionsheborrowedmineandreadhishoursinit。IalsodeclarethatIhaveneverseenhimclosethedoorsofthechurch，andthatwheneverIhaveseenhimspeakingtowomenIhavenevernoticedanyimpropriety；Ihavenoteverseenhimtouchtheminanyway，theyhaveonlyspokentogether；andifanythingisfoundinmydepositioncontrarytotheabove，itiswithoutmyknowledge，andwasneverreadtome，forIwouldnothavesignedit，andIsayandaffirmallthisinhomagetothetruth。
　　"DonethelastdayofOctober1630，"SignedG。MECHIN。"
　　Inthefaceofsuchproofsofinnocencenoneoftheaccusationscouldbeconsideredasestablishedandso，accordingtothedecisionofthepresidialcourtofPoitiers，datedthe25thofMay1634，thedecisionofthebishop'scourtwasreversed，andGrandierwasacquittedofthechargesbroughtagainsthim。However，hehadstilltoappearbeforetheArchbishopofBordeaux，thathisacquittalmightberatified。
　　GrandiertookadvantageofavisitwhichthearchbishoppaidtohisabbeyatSaint-Jouin-les-Marmes，whichwasonlythreeleaguesfromLoudun，tomakethisappearance；hisadversaries，whowerediscouragedbytheresultoftheproceedingsatPoitiers，scarcelymadeanydefence，andthearchbishop，afteranexaminationwhichbroughtclearlytolighttheinnocenceoftheaccused，acquittedandabsolvedhim。
　　TherehabilitationofGrandierbeforehisbishophadtwoimportantresults:thefirstwasthatitclearlyestablishedhisinnocence，andthesecondthatitbroughtintoprominencehishighattainmentsandeminentqualities。Thearchbishopseeingthepersecutionstowhichhewassubjected，feltakindlyinterestinhim，andadvisedhimtoexchangeintosomeotherdiocese，leavingatowntheprincipalinhabitantsofwhichappearedtohavevowedhimarelentlesshate。
　　ButsuchanabandonmentofhisrightswasforeigntothecharacterofUrbain，andhedeclaredtohissuperiorthat，stronginHisGrace'sapprobationandthetestimonyofhisownconscience，hewouldremainintheplacetowhichGodhadcalledhim。MonseigneurdeSourdisdidnotfeelithisdutytourgeUrbainanyfurther，buthehadenoughinsightintohischaractertoperceivethatifUrbainshouldonedayfall，itwouldbe，likeSatan，throughpride；forheaddedanothersentencetohisdecision，recommendinghimtofulfilthedutiesofhisofficewithdiscretionandmodesty，accordingtothedecreesoftheFathersandthecanonicalconstitutions。ThetriumphalentryofUrbainintoLoudunwithwhichwebeganournarrativeshowsthespiritinwhichhetookhisrecommendation。
　　CHAPTERII
　　UrbainGranadierwasnotsatisfiedwiththearrogantdemonstrationbywhichhesignalisedhisreturn，whichevenhisfriendshadfelttobeilladvised；insteadofallowingthehatehehadarousedtodieawayoratleasttofallasleepbylettingthepastbepast，hecontinuedwithmorezealthaneverhisproceedingsagainstDuthibaut，andsucceededinobtainingadecreefromtheParliamentofLaTournelle，bywhichDuthibautwassummonedbeforeit，andobligedtolistenbareheadedtoareprimand，toofferapologies，andtopaydamagesandcosts。
　　Havingthusgotthebetterofoneenemy，Urbainturnedontheothers，andshowedhimselfmoreindefatigableinthepursuitofjusticethantheyhadbeeninthepursuitofvengeance。Thedecisionofthearchbishophadgivenhimarighttoasumofmoneyforcompensation，andinterestthereon，aswellastotherestitutionoftherevenuesofhislivings，andtherebeingsomedemurmade，heannouncedpubliclythatheintendedtoexactthisreparationtotheuttermostfarthing，andsetaboutcollectingalltheevidencewhichwasnecessaryforthesuccessofanewlawsuitforlibelandforgerywhichheintendedtobegin。Itwasinvainthathisfriendsassuredhimthatthevindicationofhisinnocencehadbeencompleteandbrilliant，itwasinvainthattheytriedtoconvincehimofthedangerofdrivingthevanquishedtodespair，Urbainrepliedthathewasreadytoendureallthepersecutionswhichhisenemiesmightsucceedininflictingonhim，butaslongashefeltthathehadrightuponhissidehewasincapableofdrawingback。
　　Grandier'sadversariessoonbecameconsciousofthestormwhichwasgatheringabovetheirheads，andfeelingthatthestrugglebetweenthemselvesandthismanwouldbeoneoflifeordeath，Mignon，Barot，Meunier，Duthibaut，andMenuaumetTrinquantatthevillageofPindadane，inahousebelongingtothelatter，inordertoconsultaboutthedangerswhichthreatenedthem。Mignonhad，however，alreadybeguntoweavethethreadsofanewintrigue，whichheexplainedinfulltotheothers；theylentafavourableear，andhisplanwasadopted。Weshallseeitunfolditselfbydegrees，foritisthebasisofournarrative。
　　WehavealreadysaidthatMignonwasthedirectoroftheconventofUrsulinesatLoudun:NowtheUrsulineorderwasquitemodern，forthehistoriccontroversiestowhichtheslightestmentionofthemartyrdomofSt。Ursulaandhereleventhousandvirginsgaverise，hadlonghinderedthefoundationofanorderinthesaint'shonour。
　　However，in1560MadameAngeledeBresseestablishedsuchanorderinItaly，withthesamerulesastheAugustinianorder。ThisgainedtheapprobationofPopeGregoryXIIIin1572。In1614，MadeleineLhuillier，withtheapprovalofPopePaulV，introducedthisorderintoFrance，byfoundingaconventatParis，whenceitrapidlyspreadoverthewholekingdom，so-thatin1626，onlysixyearsbeforethetimewhentheeventsjustrelatedtookplace，asisterhoodwasfoundedinthelittletownofLoudun。
　　Althoughthiscommunityatfirstconsistedentirelyofladiesofgoodfamily，daughtersofnobles，officers，judges，andthebetterclassofcitizens，andnumberedamongstitsfoundersJeannedeBelfield，daughterofthelateMarquisofCose，andrelativeofM。deLaubardemont，MademoiselledeFazili，cousinofthecardinal-duke，twoladiesofthehouseofBarbenisdeNogaret，MadamedeLamothe，daughteroftheMarquisLamothe-BaraceofAnjou，andMadamed'EscoubleaudeSourdis，ofthesamefamilyastheArchbishopofBordeaux，yetasthesenunshadalmostallenteredtheconventbecauseoftheirwantoffortune，thecommunityfounditselfatthetimeofitsestablishmentricherinbloodthaninmoney，andwasobligedinsteadofbuildingtopurchaseaprivatehouse。TheownerofthishousewasacertainMoussautduFrene，whosebrotherwasapriest。Thisbrother，therefore，naturallybecamethefirstdirectorofthesegodlywomen。Lessthanayearafterhisappointmenthedied，andthedirectorshipbecamevacant。
　　TheUrsulineshadboughtthehouseinwhichtheylivedmuchbelowitsnormalvalue，foritwasregardedasahauntedhousebyallthetown。
　　Thelandlordhadrightlythoughtthattherewasnobetterwayofgettingridoftheghoststhantoconfrontthemwithareligioussisterhood，themembersofwhich，passingtheirdaysinfastingandprayer，wouldbehardlylikelytohavetheirnightsdisturbedbybadspirits；andintruth，duringtheyearwhichtheyhadalreadypassedinthehouse，noghosthadeverputinanappearance——afactwhichhadgreatlyincreasedthereputationofthenunsforsanctity。
　　Whentheirdirectordied，itsohappenedthattheboarderstookadvantageoftheoccasiontoindulgeinsomediversionattheexpenseoftheoldernuns，whowereheldingeneraldetestationbytheyouthoftheestablishmentonaccountoftherigourwithwhichtheyenforcedtherulesoftheorder。Theirplanwastoraiseoncemorethosespiritswhichhadbeen，aseveryonesupposed，permanentlyrelegatedtoouterdarkness。Sonoisesbegantobeheardontheroofofthehouse，whichresolvedthemselvesintocriesandgroans；thengrowingbolder，thespiritsenteredtheatticsandgarrets，announcingtheirpresencebyclankingofchains；atlasttheybecamesofamiliarthattheyinvadedthedormitories，wheretheydraggedthesheetsoffthesistersandabstractedtheirclothes。
　　Greatwastheterrorintheconvent，andgreatthetalkinthetown，sothatthemothersuperiorcalledherwisest，nunsaroundherandaskedthemwhat，intheiropinion，wouldbethebestcoursetotakeinthedelicatecircumstancesinwhichtheyfoundthemselves。
　　Withoutadissentientvoice，theconclusionarrivedatwas，thatthelatedirectorshouldbeimmediatelyreplacedbyamanstillholierthanhe，ifsuchamancouldbefound，andwhetherbecausehepossessedareputationforsanctity，orforsomeotherreason，theirchoicefellonUrbainGrandier。Whentheofferofthepostwasbroughttohim，heansweredthathewasalreadyresponsiblefortwoimportantcharges，andthathethereforehadnotenoughtimetowatchoverthesnow-whiteflockwhichtheywishedtoentrusttohim，asagoodshepherdshould，andherecommendedtheladysuperiortoseekoutanothermoreworthyandlessoccupiedthanhimself。
　　Thisanswer，asmaybesupposed，woundedtheself-esteemofthesisters:theynextturnedtheireyestowardsMignon，priestandcanonofthecollegiatechurchofSainte-Croix，andhe，althoughhefeltdeeplyhurtthattheyhadnotthoughtfirstofhim，acceptedthepositioneagerly；buttherecollectionthatGrandierhadbeenpreferredbeforehimselfkeptawakein，himoneofthosebitterhatredswhichtime，insteadofsoothing，intensifies。Fromtheforegoingnarrativethereadercanseetowhatthishateled。
　　Assoonasthenewdirectorwasappointed，themothersuperiorconfidedtohimthekindoffoeswhichhewouldbeexpectedtovanquish。Insteadofcomfortingherbytheassurancethatnoghostsexisting，itcouldnotbeghostswhoranriotinthehouse，Mignonsawthatbypretendingtolaythesephantomshecouldacquirethereputationforholinesshesomuchdesired。SoheansweredthattheHolyScripturesrecognisedtheexistenceofghostsbyrelatinghowthewitchofEndorhadmadetheshadeofSamuelappeartoSaul。HewentontosaythattheritualoftheChurchpossessedmeansofdrivingawayallevilspirits，nomatterhowpersistenttheywere，providedthathewhoundertookthetaskwerepureinthoughtanddeed，andthathehopedsoon，bythehelpofGod，toridtheconventofitsnocturnalvisitants，whereuponasapreparationfortheirexpulsionheorderedathreedays'fast，tobefollowedbyageneralconfession。
　　ItdoesnotrequireanygreatclevernesstounderstandhoweasilyMignonarrivedatthetruthbyquestioningtheyoungpenitentsastheycamebeforehim。Theboarderswhohadplayedatbeingghostsconfessedtheirfolly，sayingthattheyhadbeenhelpedbyayoungnoviceofsixteenyearsofage，namedMarieAubin。Sheacknowledgedthatthiswastrue；itwasshewhousedtogetupinthemiddleofthenight，andopenthedormitorydoor，whichhermoretimidroom-
　　mateslockedmostcarefullyfromwithineverynight，beforegoingtobed——afactwhichgreatlyincreasedtheirterrorwhen，despitetheirprecautions，theghostsstillgotin。Underpretextofnotexposingthemtotheangerofthesuperior，whosesuspicionswouldbesuretobeawakenediftheapparitionsweretodisappearimmediatelyafterthegeneralconfession，Mignondirectedthemtorenewtheirnightlyfrolicsfromtimetotime，butatlongerandlongerintervals。Hethensoughtaninterviewwiththesuperior，andassuredherthathehadfoundthemindsofallthoseunderherchargesochasteandpurethathefeltsurethroughhisearnestprayershewouldsooncleartheconventofthespiritswhichnowpervadedit。
　　Everythinghappenedasthedirectorhadforetold，andthereputationforsanctityoftheholyman，whobywatchingandprayinghaddeliveredtheworthyUrsulinesfromtheirghostlyassailants，increasedenormouslyinthetownofLoudun。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　HardlyhadtranquillitybeenrestoredwhenMignon，Duthibaut，Menuau，Meunier，andBarot，havinglosttheircausebeforetheArchbishopofBordeaux，andfindingthemselvesthreatenedbyGrandierwithaprosecutionforlibelandforgery，mettogethertoconsultastothebestmeansofdefendingthemselvesbeforetheunbendingseverityofthisman，whowould，theyfelt，destroythemiftheydidnotdestroyhim。
　　Theresultofthisconsultationwasthatveryshortlyafterwardsqueerreportsbegantoflyabout；itwaswhisperedthattheghostswhomthepiousdirectorhadexpelledhadagaininvadedtheconvent，underaninvisibleandimpalpableform，andthatseveralofthenunshadgiven，bytheirwordsandacts，incontrovertibleproofsofbeingpossessed。
　　WhenthesereportswerementionedtoMignon，he，insteadofdenyingtheirtruth，castuphiseyestoheavenandsaidthatGodwascertainlyagreatandmercifulGod，butitwasalsocertainthatSatanwasveryclever，especiallywhenhewasbarkedbythatfalsehumansciencecalledmagic。However，astothereports，thoughtheywerenotentirelywithoutfoundation，hewouldnotgosofarastosaythatanyofthesisterswerereallypossessedbydevils，thatbeingaquestionwhichtimealonecoulddecide。
　　Theeffectofsuchanansweronmindsalreadypreparedtolistentothemostimpossiblethings，mayeasilybeguessed。Mignonletthegossipgoitsroundsforseveralmonthswithoutgivingitanyfreshfood，butatlength，whenthetimewasripe，hecalledonthepriestofSaint-JacquesatChinon，andtoldhimthatmattershadnowcometosuchapassintheUrsulineconventthathefeltitimpossibletobearupaloneundertheresponsibilityofcaringforthesalvationoftheafflictednuns，andhebeggedhimtoaccompanyhimtotheconvent。Thispriest，whosenamewasPierreBarre，wasexactlythemanwhomMignonneededinsuchacrisis。Hewasofmelancholytemperament，anddreameddreamsandsawvisions；hisoneambitionwastogainareputationforasceticismandholiness。Desiringtosurroundhisvisitwiththesolemnitybefittingsuchanimportantevent，hesetoutforLoudunattheheadofallhisparishioners，thewholeprocessiongoingonfoot，inordertoarouseinterestandcuriosity；butthismeasurewasquiteneedlessittooklessthanthattosetthetownagog。
　　Whilethefaithfulfilledthechurchesofferingupprayersforthesuccessoftheexorcisms，MignonandBarreenteredupontheirtaskattheconvent，wheretheyremainedshutupwiththenunsforsixhours。
　　AttheendofthistimeBarreappearedandannouncedtohisparishionersthattheymightgobacktoChinonwithouthim，forhehadmadeuphismindtoremainforthepresentatLoudun，inordertoaidthevenerabledirectoroftheUrsulineconventintheholyworkhehadundertaken；heenjoinedonthemtopraymorningandevening，withallpossiblefervour，that，inspiteoftheseriousdangersbywhichitwassurrounded，thegoodcausemightfinallytriumph。Thisadvice，unaccompaniedasitwasbyanyexplanation，redoubledthecuriosityofthepeople，andthebeliefgainedgroundthatitwasnotmerelyoneortwonunswhowerepossessedofdevils，butthewholesisterhood。