Chapter 13

Leaving Avignon, journeying to Lagne

I was disappointed, the next day, to find that the two troublesome witches would continue to exercise their power over me and bring me new persecutions. Some time later, I had the pleasure of meeting a venerable priest in Avignon, who was awaiting his appointment to a parish of Lagne, some ten miles southeast of the town, near the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, a place adorned by nature with the most seductive charms, praised by poets in their work. [1] When the priest had received his orders, he invited me to follow, thinking that the accommodations, his companionship, and putting some distance between myself and my home would help me find some relief from my pain. This seemed a fine idea, and we left town and were taken in by one of my old friends while we waited for the presbytery to be made ready for its new occupants. 

My new friends were sympathetic to my troubles, and certainly that is not always the case, but their comfort to me caused my tormentors to bring all their magic into play to redouble my pain. I became gloomy and melancholy. The good priest and my friend tried to distract me, asking me the cause of my silence. Apparently my answers were not satisfactory, but the priest still seemed interested in my situation, which gave me some confidence, and I told him of the source of my pain. He said, “My friend”–a cliche we hear too often in this world, and so rarely truly spoken–”We are going to live in the rectory, and I hope that this new environment, and the tasks we will engage in, will bring you a change of mood. The attention, always friendly yet always moral, the amenities, everything this priest used to distract me and reduce my suffering…alas, all in vain! The stubborn  diabolical powers, directed by the work of the two sisters, continued to trouble me, particularly at night, when I most needed to rest. They shook my bed, my furniture, all my apartment was put in disorder, much to my distress. 

The priest was convinced that what they had tried up to then had no effect, and he gave me a letter to take to the grand vicar, who himself gave me a response to take to the church of Langne. The priest there was satisfied with my efforts. The next day, after mass, we entered the sacristy, he removed his chasuble, and as I knelt, he performed the prayers and ceremonies of exorcism. No evil spirit had entered me, he assured me, but those two women, having the power to make themselves invisible, could themselves prolong my torments.

We parted, but I promised to return to see these kind people whenever I could, a promise that I kept.