the sorcerer du carrefours had been burned in paris , only twenty years before , on just such charges as those i was hearing : `` -the summoning of demons and powers of darkness , the procurement of illness and death for payment '' -i put a hand to my stomach , in vivid memory of bitter cascara- '' the ill-wishing of members of the court , the defilement of virgins- '' i shot a quick look at the comte , but his face was stony , lips pressed tight as he listened .