Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 140 Paris in Full Swing (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Sophia had no idea what the minister across from her was thinking. She just showed a frustrated expression, her originally cold and stern features softened, and her eyes glistened with tears.

She shook her head and sighed deeply: "Villeneuve swindled money? It was a mere 30 francs! It's just a speck of dust in the corner of our family vault!"
He made my mother a laughingstock in social circles? The salons in Moscow will soon forget, the courts in St. Petersburg have their own more important topics of conversation!
"These are things our Sherbatov family can afford!"

Minister Constantine was even more puzzled: "Then why..."

At this moment, Sophia's voice suddenly rose: "But what does it mean if the church successfully completes this exorcism and announces to the world that the fraudster is 'possessed by the devil'?"

This means that my mother—a devout believer, a devotee who donated a huge sum of money to the cathedral every year—was deceived by the devil! She was used by the devil!
Because her faith was not pure enough and her heart was not firm enough, she gave the devil an opportunity!
This is the most fatal stain! It is the most vicious and irreparable trampling on the sacred honor of the Sherbatov family!
This stain will haunt my mother and our entire family like a leech!
Do you think that the mere excuse of 'religious freedom' is enough for us to accept this stain?

Sofia's chest heaved violently, and the scent of expensive perfume filled the living room.

Her voice held a mixture of pleading and defiance: "Cancel it, Uncle Constantine. Use all your power, and we'll pay for it at all costs—"

"Anyone, just tell me their name, and I can handle them."

Minister Constantine frowned; he knew all too well that Sofia was not exaggerating.

Unlike French society, which has become largely secular, Russia today remains a country with a strong religious atmosphere and a capacity for direct intervention in many affairs.

Baroness Alexievna's vast wealth and intricate connections with the Russian court were crucial links that Parisian politicians were eager to maintain.

It doesn't matter how many lovers she has, but being "tempted by the devil"? That could cost her her current wealth and status.

Minister Constant sighed: "Sophia, the Great Exorcism Ritual involves a wide range of people, and many Parisians are looking forward to it."

The key point is that the Church's attitude is also very firm. This time, it's not just the idea of ​​the Archdiocese of Paris; the greater driving force comes from the Holy See...

I need time to coordinate…

Sofia interrupted him firmly: "There's no time! I heard the ceremony will be held before the parliamentary vote on the latest education bill in August! But I only accept one outcome—"

That means cancellation!

She then leaned closer to the obese man she called "Uncle," her voice low and melodious: "Uncle Constantine, if you can make this happen, you can ask the Sherbatov family for anything..."

We will do everything we can to meet your needs!

Ernest Constant moved half a step to the side with difficulty: "I tried my best..."

……

He only breathed a sigh of relief after Sophia's luxurious carriage had left.

As a republican minister, he certainly didn't want to see any "great exorcism ritual" take place in Paris.

However, in France, even though all religious property has been nationalized and clergy are paid by the state, the church has never given up its covetousness for its former power.

The Papacy, far away in Rome, still maintains deep roots in French politics and among the people.

Just like handing the conman Edward Benoît over to the church for an exorcism, it was a will from a higher level that he could not resist.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

No matter how many people wanted to stop the exorcism ritual, Paris, a city that always craves novelty and excitement, had reached the peak of its fervent anticipation.

The tabloid fueled the fire for several consecutive days with sensational front-page headlines:
Exorcism of the Century! Will a Living Demon Appear in Notre Dame Cathedral?

Exclusive Insider Information: The Demon-Possessed Villeneuve's Prison Musings Prophet Judgment Day!

The report, titled "The whole city is in an uproar! Tickets for the spectacle are in high demand! Are you ready to witness a miracle?", went to great lengths to exaggerate the situation, portraying Villeneuve as a monstrous creature with a hideous face and ominous pronouncements.

The exorcism ritual is further depicted as an ultimate battle between light and darkness.

The tabloid reporters' writing was highly sensational, precisely stirring up the public's curiosity, fear, and desire for a spectacle, driving the entire city of Paris into a frenzy.

Meanwhile, *Il Universal* and *Il Cross* received information through certain channels that someone was making every effort to prevent the exorcism ritual from taking place, so their criticism was particularly fierce:

Russian nobles attempt to interfere with sacraments! Can the purity of faith be tainted by money?

To French writers: Please respect French religious traditions and sacred rituals!

"Canceling exorcisms? That's tantamount to surrendering to the devil! Parisians will never accept that!"

Every commentary article was righteously indignant, portraying Sofia's demands as a foreign power's blatant interference in the core of French faith through money.

Meanwhile, the restless writers are attempting to use their influence to cover up evil and protect the devil.

They called on all devout believers to stand up and defend this sacred ceremony that "purifies Paris and demonstrates the power of God."

As the date of the ceremony approached, the streets, cafes, and salons of Paris were abuzz with discussion. From ordinary citizens to high-ranking officials, everyone excitedly exchanged all sorts of bizarre rumors:

"Have you heard? That Russian heiress is trying to cover it up because she's afraid of losing face!"

"Hmph! Her mother has been deceived by the devil, and she still wants to stop God from appearing? What a joke!"

"Exactly! We have to see this! It's a once-in-a-century event! Let's see what the devil looks like!"

"The Little Daily News says Villeneuve has grown scales in prison? Is that true?"

"Who cares if it's true or not! Let's go see the excitement! Let's get a good spot at the Notre Dame entrance!"

Cancel the ceremony? In Paris, where public opinion is boiling and religious fervor is burning, this has become an impossible task.

Just as Minister Constantine was in a state of utter distress, a well-written petition signed by Flaubert and other writers, as well as several prominent figures in the Parisian scientific community, was placed on his desk.

This petition cleverly avoids the quagmire of the controversy surrounding "whether or not to perform exorcism," focusing instead on the scientific validity and judicial impartiality of the "Villeneuve mental state assessment."
[...Given the unique and complex nature of the case of Édouard-Benoît de Villeneuve, whose behavior oscillates between psychopathology and what the church currently calls 'devil possession,' the boundaries are extremely blurred.]

To ensure a fair and accurate judicial process and to avoid any misjudgments based on unscientific understanding, we strongly urge the Ministry of the Interior:
Immediately after the exorcism ceremony at Notre Dame Cathedral was completed, an independent and authoritative psychiatric expert was appointed to conduct a rigorous and careful assessment of Villeneuve's mental state.

This action is not intended to question faith, but rather to demonstrate the Republic's responsibility to the mental well-being of its citizens and to uphold the rigor of legal procedures.

Minister Constantine read the petition repeatedly, and his furrowed brow finally relaxed slightly. He immediately summoned his staff to discuss the matter and ultimately made a decision:
Agree with the core demands of the petition! The exorcism ritual will proceed according to the church's plan, but immediately after the ritual, a government-appointed authoritative psychiatric expert will intervene to conduct an independent psychiatric evaluation of Villeneuve!

To ensure the authority and credibility of the assessment and to avoid domestic experts being embroiled in potential factional disputes or accused of bias, Minister Constant ultimately decided to invite Professor Theodore Menard, a renowned psychiatrist from the University of Vienna, to preside over the assessment.

After the meeting, Minister Constantine immediately informed Sofia of the news.

He implied that this was the best arrangement that could be made for her mother's reputation at the moment.

If the psychiatric evaluation shows that Villeneuve has a mental illness, then the difference in public opinion between "being deceived by a mentally ill person" and "being deceived by someone possessed by the devil" is enormous...

(Ask for monthly ticket)

(End of this chapter)