M. GUITREL: “If you like. … Though, indeed, it might be quite
possible that she is possessed.”
M. LE PRÉFET: “What is this that you are saying? You, an
intelligent priest, a future bishop of the Republic, you believe in
possession! It is a mediæval superstition! I have read a book by
Michelet on it.”
M. GUITREL: “But, monsieur _le préfet_, possession is a fact
recognised not only by theologians, but also by scientists, atheists
for the most part. And Michelet himself, whom you quote, believed in
the cases of possession at Loudun.”
M. LE PRÉFET: “What notions! You are all the same! And if
Claudine Deniseau were possessed, as you say? …”