rriage with a priest; and
considering how small Loudun was, this was most extraordinary.

Resolute and full of courage as was Grandier, at length he could not
conceal from himself that his path lay over quicksands: he felt that
slander was secretly closing him round, and that as soon as he was well
entangled in her shiny folds, she would reveal herself by raising her
abhorred head, and that then a mortal combat between them would begin.
But it was one of his convictions that to draw back was to acknowledge
one's guilt; besides, as far as he was concerned, it was probably too
late for him to retrace his steps. He therefore went on his way, as
unyielding, as scornful, and as haughty as ever.

Among those who were supposed to be most active in spreading the slanders
relative to Urbain was a man called Duthibaut, a person of importance in
the province, who was supposed by the townspeople to hold very advanced
views, and who was a "Sir Oracle" to whom the commonplace and vulgar
turned for enlightenment. Some of this man's strictures on Grandier were
reported to the latter, especially some calumnies to which Duthibaut had
given vent at the Marquis de Bellay's; and one day, Grandier, arrayed in
priestly garments, was about to enter the church of Sainte-Croix to
assist in the service, he encountered Duthibaut at the entrance, and with
his usual haughty disdain accused him of slander. Duthibaut, who had got
into the habit of saying and doing whatever came into his head without
fear of being called to account, partly because of his wealth and partly
because of the influence he had gained over the narrow-minded, who are so
numerous in a small provincial town, and who regarded him as being much
above them, was so furious at this public reprimand, that he raised his
cane and struck Urbain.

The opportunity which this affront afforded Grandier of being revenged on
all his enemies was too precious to be neglected, but, convinced, with
too much reason, that he would never obtain justice from the local
authorities, although the respect due to the Church had been infringed,
in his person he decided to appeal to King Louis XIII, who deigned to
receive him, and deciding that the insult offered to a priest robed in
the sacred vestments should be expiated, sent the cause to the high court
of Parliament, with instructions that the case against Duthibaut should
be tried and decided there.

Hereupon Urbain's enemies saw they had no time t