As his cult grew he began to celebrate travestied offices in which he distributed to his congregation aphrodisiac pills presenting this peculiarity, that after having swallowed them the men believed themselves changed into women and the women into men.
"The recipe for these hippomanes is lost," continued Des Hermies with almost a sad smile.

"To make a long story short, Beccarelli met with a very miserable end.

He was prosecuted for sacrilege and sentenced, in 1708, to row in the galleys for seven years." "These frightful stories seem to have taken away your appetite," said Mme.Carhaix.

"Come, Monsieur des Hermies, a little more salad ?" "No, thanks.

But now we've come to the cheese, I think it's time to open the wine," and he uncapped one of the bottles which Durtal had brought.
"It's a light Chinon wine, but not too weak.