periment, thrice renewed, succeeded thrice, and
belief seemed about to return to the assembly, when a physician of Saumur
named Duncan, suspecting trickery, entered the choir, and, ordering the
six men to retire, said he was going to try and hold the superior down
unaided, and if she escaped from his hands he would make a public apology
for his unbelief. M. de Laubardemont tried to prevent this test, by
objecting to Duncan as an atheist, but as Duncan was greatly respected on
account of his skill 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 t