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of the nuns； Mathurin Rousseau； and Nicolas Benoit； canons； and
Conte； a doctor； from whom they learned that Grandier had not been an
instant out of their sight for the last two hours。 This being all
the magistrates wanted to know； they went home； while their envoys
went upstairs and told their story； which produced the effect which
might be expected。 Thereupon a Carmelite brother wishing to weaken
the impression； and thinking that the devil might be more lucky in
his； second guess than the first； asked the superior where Grandier
was just then。 She answered without the slightest hesitation that he
was walking with the bailiff in the church of Sainte…Croix。 A new
deputation was at once sent off； which finding the church empty； went
on to the palace； and saw the bailiff presiding at a court。 He had
gone direct from the convent to the palace； and had not yet seen
Grandier。 The same day the nuns sent word that they would not
consent to any more exorcisms being performed in the presence of the
bailiff and the officials who usually accompanied him； and that for
the future they were determined to answer no questions before such
witnesses。
Grandier learning of this piece of insolence； which prevented the
only man on whose impartiality he could reckon from being
henceforward present at the exorcisms； once more handed in a petition
to the bailiff； begging for the sequestration of the two nuns； no
matter at what risk。 The bailiff； however； in the interests of the
petitioner himself； did not dare to grant this request； for he was
afraid that the ecclesiastical authorities would nullify his
procedure； on the ground that the convent was not under his
jurisdiction。
He； however； summoned a meeting of the principal inhabitants of the
town； in order to consult with them as to the best course to take for
the public good。 The conclusion they arrived at was to write to the
attorney…general and to the Bishop of Poitiers； enclosing copies of
the reports which had been drawn up； and imploring them to use their
authority to put an end to these pernicious intrigues。 This was
done； but the attorney…general replied that the matter being entirely
ecclesiastical the Parliament was not competent to take cognisance of
it。 As for the bishop； he sent no answer at all。
He was not； however； so silent towards Grandier's enemies； for the
ill…success of the exorcisms of November 26th having made increased
precautions necessary； they considered it would be well to apply to
the bishop for a new commission； wherein he should appoint certain
ecclesiastics to represent him during the exorcisms to come。 Barre
himself went to Poitiers to make this request。 It was immediately
granted； and the bishop appointed Bazile； senior…canon of Champigny；
and Demorans； senior canon of Thouars； both of whom were related to
some of Grandier's adversaries。 The following is a copy of the new
commission：
〃Henri…Louis le Chataignier de la Rochepezai； by the divine will
Bishop of Poitiers； to the senior canons of the Chatelet de
Saint…Pierre de Thouars et de Champigny…sur…Vese； greeting：
〃We by these presents command you to repair to the town of Loudun； to
the convent of the nuns of Sainte…Ursule； to be present at the
exorcisms which will be undertaken by Sieur Barre upon some nuns of
the said convent who are tormented by evil spirits； we having thereto
authorised the said Barre。 You are also to draw up a report of all
that takes place； and for this purpose are to take any clerk you may
choose with you。
〃 Given and done at Poitiers； November 28th； 1632。
〃（Signed） HENRI LOUIS； Bishop of Poitiers。
〃（Countersigned） By order of the said Lord Bishop；
〃MICHELET〃
These two commissioners having been notified beforehand； went to
Loudun； where Marescot； one of the queen's chaplains； arrived at the
same time； for the pious queen； Anne of Austria； had heard so many
conflicting accounts of the possession of the Ursuline nuns； that she
desired； for her own edification； to get to the bottom of the affair。
We can judge what importance the case was beginning to assume by its
being already discussed at court。
In spite of the notice which had been sent them that the nuns would
not receive them； the bailiff and the civil lieutenant fearing that
the royal envoy would allow himself to be imposed on； and would draw
up an account which would cast doubt on the facts contained in their
reports； betook themselves to the convent on December 1st； the day on
which the exorcisms were to recommence； in the presence of the new
commissioners。 They were accompanied by their assessor； by the
provost's lieutenant； and a clerk。 They had to knock repeatedly
before anyone seemed to hear them； but at length a nun opened the
door and told them they could not enter； being suspected of bad
faith； as they had publicly declared that the possession was a fraud
and an imposture。 The bailiff； without wasting his time arguing with
the sister； asked to see Barre； who soon appeared arrayed in his
priestly vestments； and surrounded by several persons； among whom was
the queen's chaplain。 The bailiff complained that admittance had
been refused to him and those with him； although he had been
authorised to visit the convent by the Bishop of Poitiers。 Barre'
replied that he would not hinder their coming in； as far as it
concerned him。
〃We are here with the intention of entering；〃 said the bailiff； 〃and
also for the purpose of requesting you to put one or two questions to
the demon which we have drawn up in terms which are in accordance
with what is prescribed in the ritual。 I am sure you will not
refuse；〃 he added； turning with a bow to Marescot； 〃to make this
experiment in the presence of the queen's chaplain； since by that
means all those suspicions of imposture can be removed which are
unfortunately so rife concerning this business。〃
〃In that respect I shall do as I please； and not as you order me；〃
was the insolent reply of the exorcist。
〃It is； however； your duty to follow legal methods in your
procedure；〃 returned the bailiff； 〃if you sincerely desire the truth；
for it would be an affront to God to perform a spurious miracle in
His honour； and a wrong to the Catholic faith； whose power is in its
truth； to attempt to give adventitious lustre to its doctrines by the
aid of fraud and deception。〃
〃Sir；〃 said Barre； 〃I am a man of honour； I know my duty and I shall
discharge it； but as to yourself； I must recall to your recollection
that the last time you were here you left the chapel in anger and
excitement； which is an attitude of mind most unbecoming in one whose
duty it is to administer justice。〃
Seeing that these recriminations would have no practical result； the
magistrates cut them short by reiterating their demand for
admittance； and on this being refused； they reminded the exorcists
that they were expressly prohibited from asking any questions tending
to cast a slur on the character of any person or persons whatever；
under pain of being treated as disturbers of the public peace。 At
this warning Barre； saying that he did not acknowledge the bailiff's
jurisdiction； shut the door in