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and probity； there was such an outcry at this interference from the
entire audience that the commissioner was forced to let him have his
way。 The six porters were therefore dismissed； but instead of
resuming their places among the spectators they left the church by
the sacristy； while Duncan approaching the bed on which the superior
had again lain down； seized her by the wrist； and making certain that
he had a firm hold； he told the exorcists to begin。
Never up to that time had it been so clearly shown that the conflict
going on was between public opinion and the private aims of a few。 A
hush fell on the church； everyone stood motionless in silent
expectancy。
The moment Pere Lactance uttered the sacred words the convulsions of
the superior recommenced； but it seemed as if Duncan had more
strength than his six predecessors together； for twist and writhe and
struggle as she would； the superior's wrist remained none the less
firmly clasped in Duncan's hand。 At length she fell back on her bed
exhausted； exclaiming！〃
〃It's no use； it's no use！ He's holding me！〃
Release her arm！ 〃shouted Pere Lactance in a rage。 〃How can the
convulsions take place if you hold her that way？〃
〃If she is really possessed by a demon；〃 answered Duncan aloud； 〃he
should be stronger than I； for it is stated in the ritual that among
the symptoms of possession is strength beyond one's years； beyond
one's condition； and beyond what is natural。〃
〃That is badly argued；〃 said Lactance sharply： 〃a demon outside the
body is indeed stronger than you； but when enclosed in a weak frame
such as this it cannot show such strength； for its efforts are
proportioned to the strength of the body it possesses。〃
〃Enough！〃 said M。 de Laubardemont ； 〃we did not come here to argue
with philosophers； but to build up the faith of Christians。〃
With that he rose up from his chair amidst a terrible uproar； and the
assembly dispersed in the utmost disorder； as if they were leaving a
theatre rather than a church。
The ill success of this exhibition caused a cessation of events of
interest for some days。 The result was that a great number of
noblemen and other people of quality who had come to Loudun expecting
to see wonders and had been shown only commonplace transparent
tricks； began to think it was not worth while remaining any longer；
and went their several waysa defection much bewailed by Pere
Tranquille in a little work which he published on this affair。
〃Many；〃 he says； 〃came to see miracles at Loudun； but finding the
devils did not give them the signs they expected； they went away
dissatisfied； and swelled the numbers of the unbelieving。〃
It was determined； therefore； in order to keep the town full； to
predict some great event which would revive curiosity and increase
faith。 Pere Lactance therefore announced that on the 20th of May
three of the seven devils dwelling in the superior would come out；
leaving three wounds in her left side； with corresponding holes in
her chemise； bodice； and dress。 The three parting devils were
Asmodeus； Gresil des Trones； and Aman des Puissances。 He added that
the superior's hands would be bound behind her back at the time the
wounds were given。
On the appointed day the church of Sainte…Croix was filled to
overflowing with sightseers curious to know if the devils would keep
their promises better this time than the last。 Physicians were
invited to examine the superior's side and her clothes； and amongst
those who came forward was Duncan； whose presence guaranteed the
public against deception； but none of the exorcists ventured to
exclude him； despite the hatred in which they held hima hatred
which they would have made him feel if he had not been under the
special protection of Marshal Breze。 The physicians having completed
their examination； gave the following certificate：
〃We have found no wound in the patient's side； no rent in her
vestments； and our search revealed no sharp instrument hidden in the
folds of her dress。〃
These preliminaries having been got through； Pere Lactance questioned
her in French for nearly two hours； her answers being in the same
language。 Then he passed from questions to adjurations： on this；
Duncan came forward； and said a promise had been given that the
superior's hands should be tied behind her back； in order that there
might be no room for suspicion of fraud； and that the moment had now
arrived to keep that promise。 Pere Lactance admitted the justice of
the demand； but said as there were many present who had never seen
the superior in convulsions such as afflicted the possessed； it would
be only fair that she should be exorcised for their satisfaction
before binding her。 Accordingly he began to repeat the form of
exorcism； and the superior was immediately attacked by frightful
convulsions； which in a few minutes produced complete exhaustion； so
that she fell on her face to the ground； and turning on her left arm
and side； remained motionless some instants； after which she uttered
a low cry； followed by a groan。 The physicians approached her； and
Duncan seeing her take away her hand from her left side； seized her
arm； and found that the tips of her fingers were stained with blood。
They then examined her clothing and body； and found her dress；
bodice； and chemise cut through in three places； the cuts being less
than an inch long。 There were also three scratches beneath the left
breast； so slight as to be scarcely more than skin deep； the middle
one being a barleycorn in length； still； from all three a sufficient
quantity of blood had oozed to stain the chemise above them。
This time the fraud was so glaring that even de Laubardemont
exhibited some signs of confusion because of the number and quality
of the spectators。 He would not； however； allow the doctors to
include in their report their opinion as to the manner in which the
wounds were inflicted； but Grandier protested against this in a
Statement of Facts； which he drew up during the night； and which was
distributed next day。
It was as follows ：
〃That if the superior had not groaned the physicians would not have
removed her clothes； and would have suffered her to be bound； without
having the least idea that the wounds were already made； that then
the exorcists would have commanded the devils to come forth； leaving
the traces they had promised； that the superior would then have gone
through the most extraordinary contortions of which she was capable；
and have had a long fit of； convulsions； at the end of which she
would have been delivered from the three demons； and the wounds would
have been found in her body； that her groans； which had betrayed her；
had by God's will thwarted the best…laid plans of men and devils。
Why do you suppose；〃 he went on to ask； 〃that clean incised wounds；
such as a sharp blade would make； 'were chosen for a token； seeing
that the wounds left by devils resemble burns？ Was it not because it
was easier for the superior to conceal a lancet with which to wound
herself slightly； than to conceal any instrument sufficiently heated
to burn her？ Why do you think the left side was chosen rather