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