Through the privilege of nobility, Madame de Brinvilliers was brought before the highest judicial tribunal in the kingdom--the High Court and the Tournelle in conjunction. She requested a counsel to assist her in her defence, but the request was refused, at least provisionally. The court was presided over by the first president, Lamoignon. Between April 29 and July 16, 1676, the case occupied twenty-two sittings. The marchioness displayed an energy and force of will which was a constant subject of astonishment to her judges. She denied everything obstinately, and contradicted her accusers in a hard and haughty voice, but never failed in the respect due to the judges--a respect in which pride and nobility mingled, and which made the audience feel that she considered herself at least the equal of the men judging her. When they came to read the account of the examination at Mézières on April 17, there occurred a scene which was not unexpected. The following is an extract from the official report of the proceedings:-- 'At the reading of these interrogatories, the first president wished to intervene and postpone it until after the confession had been read. This raised a difficulty, and a discussion ensued as to whether it was allowable to question the lady on these particular crimes, such as sodomy and incest, which being on this occasion only a matter of confession, it seemed that they should be kept a great secret; some were for, others against. 'Monsieur de Palluau said that, having consulted the law-doctors, he had been told that, a confession having been found _en route_, it ought to have been burnt under penalty, as some believed, of mortal sin. 'Other doctors held that the said Palluau, in his capacity as judge, had had no choice but to give a description of the confession, and to interrogate her on the aforesaid paper beginning, _I accuse myself, my father,_ etc. 'The first president held that the question was extremely uncertain, yet he thought the papers ought to be read. 'The President de Mesmes held that this sort of confession had been utilised in Christian countries, and quoted the epistle of St. Leo, showing that the judges had made use of them. 'Nivelle, advocate, urged the contrary opinion. 'The first president answered that the epistle of St. Leo was utterly opposed to the contention of Monsieur de Mesmes, and that there was nothing for it but to resume the reading. 'The question having been argued, the reading was continued. 'Asked if she had not made her confession, and to whom she ought to confess, she answered that she had had no intention whatever of making a confession, and knew no priests or monks to whom she ought to confess.