THE INQUISITOR [_taking the other judicial chair on Cauchon’s left_] All secular power makes men scoundrels. They are not trained for the work; and they have not the Apostolic Succession. Our own nobles are just as bad. _The Bishop’s assessors hurry into the hall, headed by Chaplain de Stogumber and Canon de Courcelles, a young priest of 30. The scribes sit at the table, leaving a chair vacant opposite D’Estivet. Some of the assessors take their seats: others stand chatting, waiting for the proceedings to begin formally. De Stogumber, aggrieved and obstinate will not take his seat: neither will the Canon, who stands on his right._ CAUCHON. Good morning, Master de Stogumber. [_To the Inquisitor_] Chaplain to the Cardinal of England. THE CHAPLAIN [_correcting him_] Of Winchester, my lord. I have to make a protest, my lord. CAUCHON. You make a great many. THE CHAPLAIN. I am not without support, my lord. Here is Master de Courcelles, Canon of Paris, who associates himself with me in my protest. CAUCHON. Well, what is the matter? THE CHAPLAIN [_sulkily_] Speak you, Master de Courcelles, since I do not seem to enjoy his lordship’s confidence. [_He sits down in dudgeon next to Cauchon, on his right._] COURCELLES. My lord: we have been at great pains to draw up an indictment of The Maid on sixtyfour counts. We are now told that they have been reduced, without consulting us. THE INQUISITOR. Master de Courcelles: I am the culprit. I am overwhelmed with admiration for the zeal displayed in your sixtyfour counts; but in accusing a heretic, as in other things, enough is enough. Also you must remember that all the members of the court are not so subtle and profound as you, and that some of your very great learning might appear to them to be very great nonsense. Therefore I have thought it well to have your sixtyfour articles cut down to twelve— COURCELLES [_thunderstruck_] Twelve!!! THE INQUISITOR. Twelve will, believe me, be quite enough for your purpose. THE CHAPLAIN. But some of the most important points have been reduced almost to nothing. For instance, The Maid has actually declared that the blessed saints Margaret and Catherine, and the holy Archangel Michael, spoke to her in French. That is a vital point. THE INQUISITOR. You think, doubtless, that they should have spoken in Latin? CAUCHON. No: he thinks they should have spoken in English. THE CHAPLAIN. Naturally, my lord. THE INQUISITOR. Well, as we are all here agreed, I think, that these voices of The Maid are the voices of evil spirits tempting her to her damnation, it would not be very courteous to you, Master de Stogumber, or to the King of England, to assume that English is the devil’s native language. So let it pass. The matter is not wholly omitted from the twelve articles. Pray take your places, gentlemen; and let us proceed to business. _All who have not taken their seats, do so._ THE CHAPLAIN. Well, I protest. That is all.