hey 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
ways--a 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 him--a 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 arri