Frontenac withdrew, and other councillors
or judges were appointed provisionally; but these were challenged in
turn by the prisoner, on one pretext or another. The exceptions were
overruled, and the trial proceeded, though not without signs of doubt
and hesitation on the part of some of the councillors. [Footnote: All
the proceedings in the affair of Perrot will be found in full in the
_Registre des Jugements et Deliberations du Conseil Superieur_. They
extend from the end of January to the beginning of November, 1674.]
Meanwhile, other sessions were held for the trial of Fenelon; and a
curious scene ensued. Five councillors and the deputy attorney-general
were seated at the board, with Frontenac as presiding judge, his hat
on his head and his sword at his side, after the established custom.
Fenelon, being led in, approached a vacant chair, and was about to
seat himself with the rest, when Frontenac interposed, telling him
that it was his duty to remain standing while answering the questions
of the council. Fenelon at once placed himself in the chair, and
replied that priests had the right to speak seated and with heads
covered.
"Yes," returned Frontenac, "when they are summoned as witnesses, but
not when they are cited to answer charges of crime.
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