sed apart. Barre dared not
refuse before such a great number of witnesses, therefore the superior
was isolated and the exorcisms begun all over again. Instantly the
convulsions returned, just as in the morning, only that now she twisted
her feet into the form of hooks, which was a new accomplishment.

Having adjured her several times, the exorcist succeeded in making her
repeat some prayers, and then sounded her as to the name and number of
the demons in possession, whereupon she said three times that there was
one called Achaos. The bailiff then directed Barre to ask if she were
possessed 'ex pacto magi, aut ex Aura voluntate Dei' (by a pact with a
sorcerer or by the pure will of God), to which the superior answered

"Non est voluutas Dei" (Not by the will of God).

Upon this, Barre dreading more questions from the bystanders, hastily
resumed his own catechism by asking who was the sorcerer.

"Urbanus," answered the superior.

"Est-ne Urbanus papa" (Is it Pope Urban?), asked the exorcist.

"Grandier," replied the superior.

"Quare ingressus es in corpus hujus puellae" (Why did you enter the body
of this maiden?), said Barre.

"Propter praesentiam tuum" (Because of your presence), answered the
superior.

At this point the bailiff, seeing no reason why the dialogue between
Barre and the superior should ever come to an end, interposed and
demanded that questions suggested by him and the other officials present
should be put to the superior, promising that if she answered three of
four such questions correctly, he, and those with him, would believe in
the reality of the possession, and would certify to that effect. Barre
accepted the challenge, but unluckily just at that moment the superior
regained consciousness, and as it was already late, everyone retired.

CHAPTER VI

The next day, November 25th, the bailiff and the majority of the officers
of the two jurisdictions came to the convent once more, and were all
conducted to the choir. In a few moments the curtains behind the grating
were drawn back, and the superior, lying on her bed, came to view. Barre
began, as usual, by the celebration of mass, during which the superior
was seized with convulsions, and exclaimed two or three times, "Grandier!
Grandier! false priest!" When the mass was over, the celebrant went
behind the grating, carrying the pyx; then, placing it on his head and
holding it there, he protested that in all he was doing he was ac