Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 143 Two Invitations
The bells of Notre Dame Cathedral sounded particularly heavy in the late July morning mist, as if still mourning the horrific tragedy of the previous day.

As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the glass windows of San Lazar Hospital, a pungent odor filled a single-room ward, a mixture of disinfectant and rotting flesh.

Édouard-Benoît de Villeneuve lay on the cold iron bed frame, the right side of his face covered with a thick linen gauze, the pale yellow liquid seeping out soaking the pillow.

He would sometimes make incomprehensible hoarse noises, and sometimes suddenly sit up and scream, his fingers futilely scratching at the air, as if still trying to escape the excruciating burning pain.

"Give him ten morphines," the doctor instructed his assistant, removing his blood-stained gloves.

After the needle pierced his skin and the medication was slowly injected into his veins, Villeneuve suddenly fell silent, staring intently at the ceiling with only his cloudy left eye.

“It’s the bishop…and that priest…” His voice was hoarse.

“They said… as long as I act convincingly… I can go to Toulon… instead of going to a mental hospital…”

Sheriff Claude was just walking in when he overheard this fragmented confession.

He gestured for his men to stand guard at the door, then took out a notebook from his briefcase: "Mr. Villeneuve, could you be more specific? What did the bishop and the priest say to you?"

But then the morphine started to take effect, and Villeneuve's eyes became unfocused again: "Holy water... it should have been lukewarm water..."

He suddenly chuckled, aggravating his wound, and gasped, "They want me to shout... shout the words of the devil... say it so... the believers will believe..."

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.

Although statements should be kept strictly confidential, there were many doctors, nurses, and his money-grubbing henchmen present at the scene.

The reporters waiting outside the hospital obtained Edward Benoît's confession that very evening with almost no effort.

The following day, an even more intense media storm erupted in Paris.

The Little Daily News devoted an entire page to a sketch of Villeneuve's bandaged face, with the title printed in scarlet ink:

A Witness Returned from Hell! The Truth in the Holy Water Bottle!

The report vividly described the sheriff's questioning process, emphasizing the "secret agreement between the bishop and the conman," but remained vague about the source of the strong acid.

The Universal's reaction was rather embarrassing, publishing only a very small statement on page three:
The unfortunate incident that occurred during yesterday's ceremony was caused by demonic interference with the sacraments. The Church will cooperate with the secular judicial investigation.

But readers were more interested in the front-page article, "On the Similarities Between Symptoms of Madness and Demonic Possession."

The author of this report attempted to argue that "mentally disturbed people often imitate the words and actions of demons," but this was widely interpreted by readers as a cover-up.

The most scathing reviews, without exception, came from Le Figaro.

The lead writer, Jules Claretti, finally found an outlet for his frustrations and began to write without restraint:
When holy water turns into strong acid, and exorcism degenerates into murder, we finally see clearly that some people wear the cloak of holiness but do things that are more despicable than those of the devil.

How many shady deals are hidden beneath the dome of Notre Dame?

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.

Bishop Gibbon paced back and forth in the makeshift prayer room, his eyes bloodshot.

Father Fulcard slumped in the oak chair, his eyes filled with empty fear.

The 600-year-old holy bottle, specially brought from Rome and said to have been stained with the blood of a saint, has long been used as evidence by the police.

“Absolutely not.” The bishop’s voice was extremely low: “The ramblings of a madman, coupled with the embellishments of a reporter, constitute no evidence whatsoever.”

This morning, two police officers arrived at Notre Dame Cathedral and read out the police decision: Bishop Gibbon and Father Fulcard are under investigation for intentional assault and are not allowed to leave the Notre Dame Cathedral grounds from this day forward, and must be available for summons at any time.

This was the result of the church's best efforts to mediate; otherwise, the two would be in custody at Pier 36 on Silversmith Street right now.

After all, apart from the two of them, all the other people who might have come into contact with the Holy Bottle were there.

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.

French Interior Minister Ernest Constanze received a thank-you letter from the Shcherbatov family, personally delivered by Sofia.

The proud Russian noblewoman smiled and said, "My mother is very pleased that the truth has finally come to light. Whether the swindler was acting under orders or has truly gone mad, it proves that he was not possessed by a demon."

Uncle Constantine, thank you for your help! The Shcherbatov family never fails to repay kindness…”

Looking at the woman before him, barely in her twenties, Ernest Constanton suddenly understood why her mother had summoned her to Paris. Now, the biggest obstacle to resolving Baroness Alexievna's "crisis of faith" had been removed. As Minister of the Interior, all he had to do was use his power to smoothly guide her, to give her a slight push…

Thinking of this, Ernest Constanton revealed a kind, elder-like smile: "You're welcome, my dear Sophia. It is my duty to clear your mother's name."

Please convey my respects to her…

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.

In early August, the first day of parliamentary voting on a bill took place.

The debate, which had been deadlocked, completely sided with Minister Jules Ferry after the exorcism ritual turned into a farce.

The newspaper *La Repubblica* devoted a full page to reporting on the grand occasion of Parliament:

"Educational reform has taken a crucial first step; the great France has chosen reason."

The article details the voting process—327 votes in favor and 112 votes against.

The most important provision of the bill was that each province must establish at least one normal school for men and one normal school for women, and allocate 500 million francs for school building construction.

Even more revolutionary was the restructuring plan for the Higher Education Commission.

A reporter from the Debate Daily described the moment of voting as follows:
When the Speaker announced that the motion to "withdraw religious representatives from the committee" had passed with 298 votes, many older members of parliament removed their crosses, while younger members sang "La Marseillaise."

The new committee will consist of 15 university professors, 8 secondary school teachers, and 5 education officials, and will be responsible for developing nationally unified curriculum standards.

The Strax newspaper expressed strong protest against the passage of the bill.

The front-page editorial, "This is the tyranny of the majority," lamented:
When teachers replace priests, and blackboards replace altars, where will the soul of France find its home?

However, due to the aftermath of the exorcism ritual, the newspaper's sales plummeted by 30% within a week, failing to evoke enough sympathy.

The Ministry of the Interior is the busiest.

Minister Ernest Constance signed the appointment letter, dispatching thirty inspectors to various provinces to oversee the construction of normal schools.

The minister told his secretary, "Tell them that by this time next year, I want to see smoke rising from the chimneys and students enrolling in school."

This powerful statement was naturally published in the newspaper.

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.

Lionel read the news in his living room with two letters beside him.

The first letter was from Albert:

Dear Leon:

The Rohan family has prepared a loggia and wines in the Loire Valley and looks forward to you spending August with us.

The forest here is full of fresh mushrooms and streams that don't smell bad.

His father, Count Rohan, had become the chairman of the Higher Education Committee and was enjoying great success.

The second letter was an invitation from Mrs. Rothschild:

Dear Leon:

If you're tired of the hustle and bustle of Paris, why not come with me to Naples?

My villa at the foot of Mount Vesuvius has a private beach and I can enjoy authentic Italian gelato.

Alice leaned closer curiously, pointing to the headline in the newspaper: "What...does this mean?"

Lionel smiled slightly: "This means more girls can go to school. This year, girls will receive education only by reciting prayers under the supervision of nuns;
Next year, their textbooks will contain Newton's theorems and Lavoisier's chemical formulas.

Patty didn't understand any of this, she just sighed, "Young master, it's so hot lately..."

(End of this chapter)