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〃Finis；〃 or 〃Finit；〃 for even those nearest could not catch the word
distinctly； as the devil； afraid doubtless of perpetrating a
barbarism； spoke through the nun's closely clenched teeth。 This
being all decidedly unsatisfying； the magistrates insisted that the
examination should continue； but the devils had again exhausted
themselves； and refused to utter another word。 The priest even tried
touching the superior's head with the pyx； while prayers and litanies
were recited； but it was all in vain； except that some of the
spectators thought that the contortions of the patient became more
violent when the intercessions of certain saints were invoked； as for
instance Saints Augustine Jerome； Antony； and Mary Magdalene。 Barre
next directed the mother superior to dedicate her heart and soul to
God； which she did without difficulty； but when he commanded her to
dedicate her body also； the chief devil indicated by fresh
convulsions that he was not going to allow himself to be deprived of
a domicile without resistance； and made those who had heard him say
that he would leave the next morning feel that he had only said so
under compulsion； and their curiosity as to the result became
heightened。 At length； however； despite the obstinate resistance of
the demon； the superior succeeded in dedicating her body also to God；
and thus victorious her features resumed their usual expression； and
smiling as if nothing had happened； she turned to Barre and said that
there was no vestige of Satan left in her。 The civil lieutenant then
asked her if she remembered the questions she had been asked and the
answers she had given； but she replied that she remembered nothing；
but afterwards； having taken some refreshment； she said to those
around her that she recollected perfectly how the first possession；
over which Mignon had triumphed； had taken place： one evening about
ten o'clock； while several nuns were still in her room； although she
was already in bed； it seemed to her that someone took her hand and
laid something in it； closing her fingers； at that instant she felt a
sharp pain as if she had been pricked by three pins； and hearing her
scream； the nuns came to her bedside to ask what ailed her。 She held
out her hand； and they found three black thorns sticking in it； each
having made a tiny wound。 Just as she had told this tale； the lay
sister； as if to prevent all commentary； was seized with convulsions；
and Barre recommenced his prayers and exorcisms； but was soon
interrupted by shrieks； for one of the persons present had seen a
black cat come down the chimney and disappear。 Instantly everyone
concluded it must be the devil； and began to seek it out。 It was not
without great difficulty that it was caught； for； terrified at the
sight of so many people and at the noise； the poor animal had sought
refuge under a canopy； but at last it was secured and carried to the
superior's bedside； where Barre began his exorcisms once more；
covering the cat with signs of the cross； and adjuring the devil to
take his true shape。 Suddenly the 'touriere'； （the woman who
received the tradespeople；） came forward； declaring the supposed
devil to be only her cat； and she immediately took possession of it；
lest some harm should happen to it。
The gathering had been just about to separate； but Barry fearing that
the incident of the cat might throw a ridiculous light upon the evil
spirits； resolved to awake once more a salutary terror by announcing
that he was going to burn the flowers through which the second spell
had been made to work。 Producing a bunch of white roses； already
faded； he ordered a lighted brazier to be brought。 He then threw the
flowers on the glowing charcoal； and to the general astonishment they
were consumed without any visible effect： the heavens still smiled；
no peal of thunder was heard； and no unpleasant odour diffused itself
through the room。 Barre feeling that the baldness of this act of
destruction had had a bad effect； predicted that the morrow would
bring forth wondrous things； that the chief devil would speak more
distinctly than hitherto； that he would leave the body of the
superior； giving such clear signs of his passage that no one would
dare to doubt any longer that it was a case of genuine possession。
Thereupon the criminal lieutenant； Henri Herve； who had been present
during the exorcism； said they must seize upon the moment of his exit
to ask about Pivart； who was unknown at Loudun； although everyone who
lived there knew everybody else。 Barre replied in Latin； 〃Et hoc
dicet epuellam nominabit〃 （He will not only tell about him； but he
will also name the young girl）。 The young girl whom the devil was to
name was； it may be recollected； she who had introduced the flowers
into the convent； and whose name the demon until now had absolutely
refused to give。 On the strength of these promises everyone went
home to await the morrow with impatience。
CHAPTER IV
That evening Grandier asked the bailiff for an audience。 At first he
had made fun of the exorcisms； for the story had been so badly
concocted； and the accusations were so glaringly improbable； that he
had not felt the least anxiety。 But as the case went on it assumed
such an important aspect； and the hatred displayed by his enemies was
so intense； that the fate of the priest Gaufredi； referred to by
Mignon； occurred to Urbain's mind； and in order to be beforehand with
his enemies he determined to lodge a complaint against them。 This
complaint was founded on the fact that Mignon had performed the rite
of exorcism in the presence of the civil lieutenant； the bailiff； and
many other persons； and had caused the nuns who were said to be
possessed； in the hearing of all these people； to name him； Urbain；
as the author of their possession。 This being a falsehood and an
attack upon his honour； he begged the bailiff； in whose hands the
conduct of the affair had been specially placed； to order the nuns to
be sequestered； apart from the rest of the sisterhood and from each
other； and then to have each separately examined。 Should there
appear to be any evidence of possession； he hoped that the bailiff
would be pleased to appoint clerics of well…known rank and upright
character to perform whatever exorcisms were needful； such men having
no bias against him would be more impartial than Mignon and his
adherents。 He also called upon the bailiff to have an exact report
drawn up of everything that took place at the exorcisms； in order
that； if necessary； he as petitioner might be able to lay it before
anyone to whose judgment he might appeal。 The bailiff gave Grandier
a statement of the conclusions at which he had arrived； and told him
that the exorcisms had been performed that day by Barre； armed with
the authority of the Bishop of Poitiers himself。 Being； as we have
seen； a man of common sense and entirely unprejudiced in the matter；
the bailiff advised Grandier to lay his complaint before his bishop；
but unfortunately he was under the authority of the Bishop of
Poitiers； who was so prejudiced against him that he had done
everything in his power to induce the Archbisho