After the welcome banquet ended, preparations for the exorcism proposed by the priest began immediately. Mr. Nihrelet, who had returned later, and the stern Hancock had no objections, though neither looked particularly fervent or devout. They merely seemed noncommittal.
The priest suggested that the ritual be held in the bedroom of the mad Isabel, where the demon would be more likely to reveal its traces. The Nihrelet couple and Hancock did not object, and when several supporters of the ghost-possession theory asked to observe, they calmly agreed as well.
The one making the biggest fuss was Mr. Proshi. He blocked Isabel's doorway and shouted, "You can't all go in there! There isn't enough room, and it's terribly rude! She's only a little girl! There's no demon at all!"
"Move aside, Proshi." Mr. Nihrelet sounded somewhat helpless. "This is for your own niece's good. Do you want her to stay insane like this?"
Then he turned to the others with an apologetic smile. "He is my wife's brother. He suffered some mental trauma years ago, so he is a little mad. Please don't mind him."
"Still, my daughter's room is indeed too small for so many people. How about this? The butler can take her to my bedroom. There is more space there, and no one will be crowded."
Naturally, everyone readily agreed. Led by the servants, they crossed the corridor and arrived at the master's bedroom.
In Catholic culture, husbands and wives slept in separate rooms after marriage. Both the master's and mistress's bedrooms were exceedingly luxurious, and Mr. Nihrelet's room was no exception. The inner room alone was nearly as large as the dining hall.
What surprised Schiller somewhat was that, as they headed toward the master bedroom, the tall man called Hancock deliberately slowed down and fell into