M.de Laubardemont then asked how long it would take to make some, and was told two hours; finding that too long to wait, he was obliged to put up with those he had.
Thereupon the torture began.

Pere Lactance having exorcised the instruments, drove in the first wedge, but could not draw a murmur from Grandier, who was reciting a prayer in a low voice; a second was driven home, and this time the victim, despite his resolution, could not avoid interrupting his devotions by two groans, at each of which Pere Lactance struck harder, crying, "Dicas! dicas!" (Confess, confess!), a word which he repeated so often and so furiously, till all was over, that he was ever after popularly called "Pere Dicas." When the second wedge was in, de Laubardemont showed Grandier his manuscript against the celibacy of the priests, and asked if he acknowledged it to be in his own handwriting.

Grandier answered in the affirmative.

Asked what motive he had in writing it, he said it was an attempt to restore peace of mind to a poor girl whom he had loved, as was proved by the two lines written at the end-- "Si ton gentil esprit prend bien cette science, Tu mettras en repos ta bonne conscience." [If thy sensitive mind imbibe this teaching, It will give ease to thy tender conscience] Upon this, M.de Laubardemont demanded the girl's name; but Grandier assured him it should never pass his lips, none knowing it but himself and God.

Thereupon M.de Laubardemont ordered Pere Lactance to insert the third wedge.