"Atthispointnowordscouldexpresswhatthesensesperceived；eyesandearsreceivedanimpressionofbeingsurroundedbyfuriessuchashadneverbeengatheredtogetherbefore；andunlessaccustomedtosuchghastlyscenesasthosewhosacrificetodemons，noonecouldkeephismindfreefromastonishmentandhorrorinthemidstofsuchaspectacle。Grandieraloneremainedunchangedthroughitall，seeminglyinsensibletothemonstrousexhibitions，singinghymnstotheLordwiththerestofthepeople，asconfidentasifhewereguardedbylegionsofangels。OneofthedemonscriedoutthatBeelzebubwasstandingbetweenhimandPereTranquilletheCapuchin，uponwhichGrandiersaidtothedemon——
"'Obmutescas!'Holdthypeace。
"Uponthisthedemonbegantocurse，andsaidthatwastheirwatchword；buttheycouldnotholdtheirpeace，becauseGodwasinfinitelypowerful，andthepowersofhellcouldnotprevailagainstHim。ThereupontheyallstruggledtogetatGrandier，threateningtotearhimlimbfromlimb，topointouthismarks，tostranglehimalthoughhewastheirmaster；whereuponheseizedachancetosayhewasneithertheirmasternortheirservant，andthatitwasincrediblethattheyshouldinthesamebreathacknowledgehimfortheirmasterandexpressadesiretostranglehim:onhearingthis，thefrenzyofthenunsreacheditsheight，andtheykickedtheirslippersintohisface。
"'Justlook!'saidhe；'theshoesdropfromthehoofsoftheirownaccord。'
"Atlength，haditnotbeenforthehelpandinterpositionofpeopleinthechoir，thenunsintheirfrenzywouldhavetakenthelifeofthechiefpersonageinthisspectacle；sotherewasnochoicebuttotakehimawayfromthechurchandthefurieswhothreatenedhislife。
Hewasthereforebroughtbacktoprisonaboutsixo'clockintheevening，andtherestofthedaytheexorcistswereemployedincalmingthepoorsisters——ataskofnosmalldifficulty。"
Everyonedidnotregardthepossessedsisterswiththeindulgenteyeoftheauthoroftheabovenarrative，andmanysawinthisterribleexhibitionofhysteriaandconvulsionsaninfamousandsacrilegiousorgy，atwhichrevengeranriot。TherewassuchdifferenceofopinionaboutitthatitwasconsiderednecessarytopublishthefollowingproclamationbymeansofplacardsonJuly2nd:
"Allpersons，ofwhateverrankorprofession，areherebyexpresslyforbiddentotraduce，orinanywaymalign，thenunsandotherpersonsatLoudunpossessedbyevilspirits；ortheirexorcists；orthosewhoaccompanythemeithertotheplacesappointedforexorcismorelsewhere；inanyformormannerwhatever，onpainofafineoftenthousandlivres，oralargersumandcorporalpunishmentshouldthecasesorequire；andinorderthatnoonemaypleadignorancehereof，thisproclamationwillbereadandpublishedto-dayfromthepulpitsofallthechurches，andcopiesaffixedtothechurchdoorsandinothersuitablepublicplaces。
"DoneatLoudun，July2nd，1634。"
Thisorderhadgreatinfluencewithworldlyfolk，andfromthatmoment，whethertheirbeliefwasstrengthenedornot，theynolongerdaredtoexpressanyincredulity。Butinspiteofthat，thejudgeswereputtoshame，forthenunsthemselvesbegantorepent；andonthedayfollowingtheimpioussceneabovedescribed，justasPereLactaneebegantoexorciseSisterClaireinthecastlechapel，sherose，andturningtowardsthecongregation，whiletearsrandownhercheeks，saidinavoicethatcouldbeheardbyallpresent，thatshewasgoingtospeakthetruthatlastinthesightofHeaven。
ThereuponsheconfessedthatallthatshehadsaidduringthelastfortnightagainstGrandierwascalumniousandfalse，andthatallheractionshadbeendoneattheinstigationoftheFranciscanPereLactance，thedirector，Mignon，andtheCarmelitebrothers。PereLactance，notintheleasttakenaback，declaredthatherconfessionwasafreshwileofthedeviltosavehermasterGrandier。ShethenmadeanurgentappealtothebishopandtoM。deLaubardemont，askingtobesequesteredandplacedinchargeofotherprieststhanthosewhohaddestroyedhersoul，bymakingherbearfalsewitnessagainstaninnocentman；buttheyonlylaughedatthepranksthedevilwasplaying，andorderedhertobeatoncetakenbacktothehouseinwhichshewasthenliving。Whensheheardthisorder，shedartedoutofthechoir，tryingtoescapethroughthechurchdoor，imploringthosepresenttocometoherassistanceandsaveherfromeverlastingdamnation。Butsuchterriblefruithadtheproclamationbornethatnoondaredrespond，soshewasrecapturedandtakenbacktothehouseinwhichshewassequestered，nevertoleaveitagain。
CHAPTERX
Thenextdayastillmoreextraordinaryscenetookplace。WhileM。
deLaubardemontwasquestioningoneofthenuns，thesuperiorcamedownintothecourt，barefooted；inherchemise，andacordroundherneck；andtheresheremainedfortwohours，inthemidstofafearfulstorm，notshrinkingbeforelightning，thunder，orrain，butwaitingtillM。deLaubardemontandtheotherexorcistsshouldcomeout。Atlengththedooropenedandtheroyalcommissionerappeared，whereuponSisterJeannedesAnges，throwingherselfathisfeet，declaredshehadnotsufficientstrengthtoplaythehorribleparttheyhadmadeherlearnanylonger，andthatbeforeGodandmanshedeclaredUrbainGrandierinnocent，sayingthatallthehatredwhichsheandhercompanionshadfeltagainsthimarosefromthebaffleddesireswhichhiscomelinessawoke——desireswhichtheseclusionofconventionallifemadestillmoreardent。M。deLaubardemontthreatenedherwiththefullweightofhisdispleasure，butsheanswered，weepingbitterly，thatallshenowdreadedwashersin，forthoughthemercyoftheSaviourwasgreat，shefeltthatthecrimeshehadcommittedcouldneverbepardoned。M。deLaubardemontexclaimedthatitwasthedemonwhodweltinherwhowasspeaking，butsherepliedthattheonlydemonbywhomshehadevenbeenpossessedwasthespiritofvengeance，andthatitwasindulgenceinherownevilthoughts，andnotapactwiththedevil，whichhadadmittedhimintoherheart。
Withthesewordsshewithdrewslowly，stillweeping，andgoingintothegarden，attachedoneendofthecordroundhernecktothebranchofatree，andhangedherself。Butsomeofthesisterswhohadfollowedhercutherdownbeforelifewasextinct。
ThesamedayanorderforherstrictseclusionwasissuedforherasforSisterClaire，andthecircumstancesthatshewasarelationofM。deLaubardemontdidnotavailtolessenherpunishmentinviewofthegravityofherfault。
Itwasimpossibletocontinuetheexorcismsothernunsmightbetemptedtofollowtheexample，ofthesuperiorandSisterClaire，andinthatcaseallwouldbelost。Andbesides，wasnotUrbainGrandierwellanddulyconvicted？Itwasannounced，therefore，thattheexaminationhadproceededfarenough，andthat
thejudgeswouldconsidertheevidenceanddeliverjudgment。
Thislongsuccessionofviolentandirregularbreachesoflawprocedure，therepeateddenialsofhisclaimtojustice，therefusaltolethiswitnessesappear，ortolistentohisdefence，allcombinedtoconvinceGrandierthathisruinwasdeterminedon；forthecasehadgonesofarandhadattainedsuchpublicitythatitwasnecessaryeithertopunishhimasasorcererandmagicianortorenderaroyalcommissioner，abishop，anentirecommunityofnuns，severalmonksofvariousorders，manyjudgesofhighreputation，andlaymenofbirthandstanding，liabletothepenaltiesincurredbycalumniators。Butalthough，asthisconvictiongrew，heconfronteditwithresignation，hiscouragedidnotfail，——andholdingittobehisdutyasamanandaChristiantodefendhislifeandhonourtotheend，hedrewupandpublishedanothermemorandum，headedReasonsforAcquittal，andhadcopieslaidbeforehisjudges。Itwasaweightyand，impartialsummingupofthewholecase，suchasastrangermighthavewritten，andbegan，withthesewords。
"IentreatyouinallhumilitytoconsiderdeliberatelyandwithattentionwhatthePsalmistsaysinPsalm82，whereheexhortsjudgestofulfiltheirchargewithabsoluterectitude；theybeingthemselvesmeremortalswhowillonedayhavetoappearbeforeGod，thesovereignjudgeoftheuniverse，togiveanaccountoftheiradministration。TheLord'sAnointedspeakstoyouto-daywhoaresittinginjudgment，andsays——
"'Godstandethinthecongregationofthemighty:Hejudgethamongthegods。
"'Howlongwillyejudgeunjustly，andacceptthepersonsofthewicked？
"'Defendthepoorandfatherless:dojusticetotheafflictedandneedy。
"'Deliverthepoorandneedy:ridthemoutofthehandofthewicked。
"'Ihavesaid，Yearegods；andallofyouarechildrenoftheMostHigh。
"'Butyeshalldielikemen，andfalllikeoneoftheprinces。'"
Butthisappeal，althoughconvincinganddignified，hadnoinfluenceuponthecommission；andonthe18thofAugustthefollowingverdictandsentencewaspronounced:——
"Wehavedeclared，anddoherebydeclare，UrbainGrandierdulyaccusedandconvictedofthecrimesofmagicandwitchcraft，andofcausingthepersonsofcertainUrsulinenunsofthistownandofotherfemalestobecomepossessedofevilspirits，wherefromothercrimesandoffenceshaveresulted。Bywayofreparationtherefor，wehavesentenced，anddoherebysentence，thesaidGrandiertomakepublicapology，bareheaded，withacordaroundhisneck，holdingalightedtorchoftwopoundsweightinhishand，beforethewestdoorofthechurchofSaint-PierreintheMarketPlaceandbefore——thatofSainte-Ursule，bothofthistown，andthereonbendedkneetoaskpardonofGodandthekingandthelaw，andthisdone，tobetakentothepublicsquareofSainte-Croixandtheretobeattachedtoastake，setinthemidstofapileofwood，bothofwhichtobepreparedthereforthispurpose，andtobeburntalive
alongwiththepactsandspellswhichremaininthehandsoftheclerkandthemanuscriptofthebookwrittenbythesaidGrandieragainstacelibatepriesthood，andhisashes，tobescatteredtothefourwindsofheaven。Andwehavedeclared，anddoherebydeclare，allandeverypartofhispropertyconfiscatetotheking，thesumofonehundredandfiftylivresbeingfirsttakentherefromtobeemployedinthepurchaseofacopperplatewhereonthesubstanceofthepresentdecreeshallbeengraved，thesametobeexposedinaconspicuousplaceinthesaidchurchofSainte-Ursule，theretoremaininperpetuity；andbeforethissentenceiscarriedout，weorderthesaidGrandiertobeputtothequestionordinaryandextraordinary，sothathisaccomplicesmaybecomeknown。
"PronouncedatLoudunagainstthesaidGrandierthis18thdayofAugust1634。"
Onthemorningofthedayonwhichthissentencewaspassed，M。deLaubardemontorderedthesurgeonFrancoisFourneautobearrestedathisownhouseandtakentoGrandier'scell，althoughhewasreadytogothereofhisownfreewill。Inpassingthroughtheadjoiningroomheheardthevoiceoftheaccusedsaying:——
"Whatdoyouwantwithme，wretchedexecutioner？Haveyoucometokillme？Youknowhowcruellyyouhavealreadytorturedmybody。
WellIamreadytodie。"
Onenteringtheroom，FourneausawthatthesewordshadbeenaddressedtothesurgeonMannouri。
Oneoftheofficersofthe'grandprivotdel'hotel'，towhomM。deLaubardemontlentfortheoccasionthetitleofofficeroftheking'sguard，orderedthenewarrivaltoshaveGrandier，andnotleaveasinglehaironhiswholebody。Thiswasaformalityemployedincasesofwitchcraft，sothatthedevilshouldhavenoplacetohidein；foritwasthecommonbeliefthatifasinglehairwereleft，thedevilcouldrendertheaccusedinsensibletothepainsoftorture。
>FromthisUrbainunderstoodthattheverdicthadgoneagainsthimandthathewascondemnedtodeath。
FourneauhavingsalutedGrandier，proceededtocarryouthisorders，whereuponajudgesaiditwasnotsufficienttoshavethebodyoftheprisoner，butthathisnailsmustalsobetornout，lestthedevilshouldhidebeneaththem。Grandierlookedatthespeakerwithanexpressionofunutterablepity，andheldouthishandstoFourneau；
butForneauputthemgentlyaside，andsaidhewoulddonothingofthekind，evenweretheordergivenbythecardinal-dukehimself，andatthesametimebeggedGrandier'spardonforshavinghim。At，thesewordsGrandier，whohadforsolongmetwithnothingbutbarbaroustreatmentfromthosewithwhomhecameincontact，turnedtowardsthesurgeonwithtearsinhiseyes，saying——
"Soyouaretheonlyonewhohasanypityforme。"
"Ah，sir，"repliedF6urneau，"youdon'tseeeverybody。"
Grandierwasthenshaved，butonlytwomarksfoundonhim，oneaswehavesaidontheshoulderblade，andtheotheronthethigh。Bothmarkswereverysensitive，thewoundswhichMannourihadmadenothavingyethealed。ThispointhavingbeencertifiedbyFourneau，Grandierwashanded，nothisownclothes，butsomewretchedgarmentswhichhadprobablybelongedtosomeothercondemnedman。
Then，althoughhissentencehadbeenpronouncedattheCarmeliteconvent，hewastakenbythegrandprovost'sofficer，withtwoofhisarchers，accompaniedbytheprovostsofLoudunandChinon，tothetownhall，whereseveralladiesofquality，amongthemMadamedeLaubardemont，ledbycuriosity，weresittingbesidethejudges，waitingtohearthesentenceread。M。deLaubardemontwasintheseatusuallyoccupiedbytheclerk，andtheclerkwasstandingbeforehim。Alltheapproacheswerelinedwithsoldiers。
Beforetheaccusedwasbroughtin，PereLactanceandanotherFranciscanwhohadcomewithhimexorcisedhimtoobligethedevilstoleavehim；thenenteringthejudgmenthall，theyexorcisedtheearth，theair，"andtheotherelements。"NottillthatwasdonewasGrandierledin。
Atfirsthewaskeptatthefarendofthehall，toallowtimefortheexorcismstohavetheirfulleffect，thenhewasbroughtforwardtothebarandorderedtokneeldown。Grandierobeyed，butcouldremoveneitherhishatnorhisskull-cap，ashishandswereboundbehindhisback，whereupontheclerkseizedontheoneandtheprovost'sofficerontheother，andflungthematdeLaubardemont'sfeet。Seeingthattheaccusedfixedhiseyesonthecommissionerasifwaitingtoseewhathewasabouttodo，theclerksaid"Turnyourhead，unhappyman，andadorethecrucifixabovethebench。"
Grandierobeyedwithoutamurmurandwithgreathumility，andremainedsunkinsilentprayerforabouttenminutes；hethenresumedhisformerattitude。
Theclerkthenbegantoreadthesentenceinatremblingvoice，whileGrandierlistenedwithunshakenfirmnessandwonderfultranquillity，althoughitwasthemostterriblesentencethatcouldbepassed，condemningtheaccusedtobeburntalivethesameday，aftertheinflictionofordinaryandextraordinarytorture。Whentheclerkhadended，Grandiersaid，withavoiceunmovedfromitsusualcalm"Messeigneurs，IaverinthenameoftheFather，theSon，andtheHolyGhost，andtheBlessedVirgin，myonlyhope，thatIhaveneverbeenamagician，thatIhavenevercommittedsacrilege，thatIknownoothermagicthanthatoftheHolyScriptures，whichIhavealwayspreached，andthatIhaveneverheldanyotherbeliefthanthatofourHolyMothertheCatholicApostolicChurchofRome；Irenouncethedevilandallhisworks；IconfessmyRedeemer，andIpraytobesavedthroughthebloodoftheCross；andIbeseechyou，messeigneurs，tomitigatetherigourofmysentence，andnottodrivemysoultodespair。"
TheconcludingwordsleddeLaubardemonttobelievethathecouldobtainsomeadmissionfromGrandierthroughfearofsuffering，soheorderedthecourttobecleared，and，beingleftalonewithMaitreHoumain，criminallieutenantofOrleans，andtheFranciscans，headdressedGrandierinasternvoice，sayingtherewasonlyonewaytoobtainanymitigationofhissentence，andthatwastoconfessthenamesofhisaccomplicesandtosigntheconfession。Grandierrepliedthathavingcommittednocrimehecouldhavenoaccomplices，whereuponLaubardemontorderedtheprisonertobetakentothetorturechamber，whichadjoinedthejudgmenthall——anorderwhichwasinstantlyobeyed。
CHAPTERXI
ThemodeoftortureemployedatLoudunwasavarietyoftheboot，andoneofthemostpainfulofall。Eachofthevictim'slegsbelowthekneewasplacedbetweentwoboards，thetwopairswerethenlaidoneabovetheotherandboundtogetherfirmlyattheends；wedgeswerethendriveninwithamalletbetweenthetwomiddleboards；foursuchwedgesconstitutedordinaryandeightextraordinarytorture；andthislatterwasseldominflicted，exceptonthosecondemnedtodeath，asalmostnooneeversurvivedit，thesufferer'slegsbeingcrushedtoapulpbeforeheleftthetorturer'sbands。InthiscaseM。deLaubardemontonhisowninitiative，forithadneverbeendonebefore，addedtwowedgestothoseoftheextraordinarytorture，sothatinsteadofeight，tenweretobedrivenin。
Norwasthisall:thecommissionerroyalandthetwoFranciscansundertooktoinflictthetorturethemselves。
LaubardemontorderedGrandiertobeboundintheusualmanner，Iandthensawhislegsplacedbetweentheboards。Hethendismissedtheexecutionerandhisassistants，anddirectedthekeeperoftheinstrumentstobringthewedges，whichhecomplainedofasbeingtoosmall。Unluckily，therewerenolargeronesinstock，andinspiteofthreatsthekeeperpersistedinsayinghedidnotknowwheretoprocureothers。M。deLaubardemontthenaskedhowlongitwouldtaketomakesome，andwastoldtwohours；findingthattoolongtowait，hewasobligedtoputupwiththosehehad。
Thereuponthetorturebegan。PereLactancehavingexorcisedtheinstruments，droveinthefirstwedge，butcouldnotdrawamurmurfromGrandier，whowasrecitingaprayerinalowvoice；asecondwasdrivenhome，andthistimethevictim，despitehisresolution，couldnotavoidinterruptinghisdevotionsbytwogroans，ateachofwhichPereLactancestruckharder，crying，"Dicas!dicas!"Confess，confess!，awordwhichherepeatedsooftenandsofuriously，tillallwasover，thathewaseverafterpopularlycalled"PereDicas。"
Whenthesecondwedgewasin，deLaubardemontshowedGrandierhismanuscriptagainstthecelibacyofthepriests，andaskedifheacknowledgedittobeinhisownhandwriting。Grandieransweredintheaffirmative。Askedwhatmotivehehadinwritingit，hesaiditwasanattempttorestorepeaceofmindtoapoorgirlwhomhehadloved，aswasprovedbythetwolineswrittenattheend——
"Sitongentilespritprendbiencettescience，Tumettrasenrepostabonneconscience。"
[Ifthysensitivemindimbibethisteaching，Itwillgiveeasetothytenderconscience]
Uponthis，M。deLaubardemontdemandedthegirl'sname；butGrandierassuredhimitshouldneverpasshislips，noneknowingitbuthimselfandGod。ThereuponM。deLaubardemontorderedPereLactancetoinsertthethirdwedge。Whileitwasbeingdriveninbythemonk'slustyarm，eachblowbeingaccompaniedbytheword"'Dicas'!"
Grandierexclaimed——
"MyGod!theyarekillingme，andyetIamneitherasorcerernorsacrilegious!"
AtthefourthwedgeGrandierfainted，muttering——
"Oh，PereLactance，isthischarity？"
Althoughhisvictimwasunconscious，PereLactancecontinuedtostrike；sothat，havinglostconsciousnessthroughpain，painsoonbroughthimbacktolife。
DeLaubardemonttookadvantageofthisrevivaltotakehisturnatdemandingaconfessionofhiscrimes；butGrandiersaid——
"Ihavecommittednocrimes，sir，onlyerrors。Beingaman，Ihaveoftengoneastray；butIhaveconfessedanddonepenance，andbelievethatmyprayersforpardonhavebeenheard；butifnot，ItrustthatGodwillgrantmepardonnow，forthesakeofmysufferings。"
AtthefifthwedgeGrandierfaintedoncemore，buttheyrestoredhimtoconsciousnessbydashingcoldwaterinhisface，whereuponhemoaned，turningtoM。deLaubardemont"Inpity，sir，putmetodeathatonce!Iamonlyaman，andIcannotanswerformyselfthatifyoucontinuetotorturemesoIshallnotgivewaytodespair。"
"Thensignthis，andthetortureshallcease，"answeredthecommissionerroyal，offeringhimapaper。
"Myfather，"saidUrbain，turningtowardstheFranciscan，"canyouassuremeonyourconsciencethatitispermissibleforaman，inordertoescapesuffering，toconfessacrimehehasnevercommitted？"
"No，"repliedthemonk；"forifhediewithalieonhislipshediesinmortalsin。"
"Goon，then，"saidGrandier；"forhavingsufferedsomuchinmybody，Idesiretosavemysoul。"
AsPereLactancedroveinthesixthwedgeGrandierfaintedanew。
Whenhehadbeenrevived，LaubardemontcalleduponhimtoconfessthatacertainElisabethBlanchardhadbeenhismistress，aswellasthegirlforwhomhehadwrittenthetreatiseagainstcelibacy；butGrandierrepliedthatnotonlyhadnoimproperrelationseverexistedbetweenthem，butthatthedayhehadbeenconfrontedwithherathistrialwasthefirsttimehehadeverseenher。
AttheseventhwedgeGrandier'slegsburstopen，andthebloodspurtedintoPereLactance'sface；buthewipeditawaywiththesleeveofhisgown。
"OLordmyGod，havemercyonme!Idie!"criedGrandier，andfaintedforthefourthtime。PereLactanceseizedtheopportunitytotakeashortrest，andsatdown。
WhenGrandierhadoncemorecometohimself，hebeganslowlytoutteraprayer，sobeautifulandsomovingthattheprovost'slieutenantwroteitdown；butdeLaubardemontnoticingthis，forbadehimevertoshowittoanyone。
Attheeighthwedgethebonesgaveway，andthemarrowoozedoutofthewounds，anditbecameuselesstodriveinanymorewedges，thelegsbeingnowasflatastheboardsthatcompressedthem，andmoreoverPereLactancewasquitewornout。
Grandierwasunboundandlaidupontheflaggedfloor，andwhilehiseyesshonewithfeverandagonyheprayedagainasecondprayer——averitablemartyr'sprayer，overflowingwithfaithandenthusiasm；butasheendedhisstrengthfailed，andheagainbecameunconscious。
Theprovost'slieutenantforcedalittlewinebetweenhislips，whichbroughthimto；thenhemadeanactofcontrition，renouncedSatanandallhisworksonceagain，andcommendedhissoultoGod。
Fourmenentered，hislegswerefreedfromtheboards，andthecrushedpartswerefoundtobeamereinertmass，onlyattachedtothekneesbythesinews。Hewasthencarriedtothecouncilchamber，andlaidonalittlestrawbeforethefire。
InacornerofthefireplaceanAugustinianmonkwasseated。Urbainaskedleavetoconfesstohim，whichdeLaubardemontrefused，holdingoutthepaperhedesiredtohavesignedoncemore，atwhichGrandiersaid——
"IfIwouldnotsigntosparemyselfbefore，amIlikelytogivewaynowthatonlydeathremains？"
"True，"repliedLaubardemont；"butthemodeofyourdeathisinourhands:itrestswithustomakeitsloworquick，painlessoragonising；sotakethispaperandsign？
Grandierpushedthepapergentlyaway，shakinghisheadinsignofrefusal，whereupondeLaubardemontlefttheroominafury，andorderedPeresTranquilleandClaudetobeadmitted，theybeingtheconfessorshehadchosenforUrbain。Whentheycameneartofulfiltheiroffice，Urbainrecognisedinthemtwoofhistorturers，sohesaidthat，asitwasonlyfourdayssincehehadconfessedtoPereGrillau，andhedidnotbelievehehadcommittedanymortalsinsincethen，hewouldnottroublethem，uponwhichtheycriedoutathimasahereticandinfidel，butwithoutanyeffect。
Atfouro'clocktheexecutioner'sassistantscametofetchhim；hewasplacedlyingonabierandcarriedoutinthatposition。OnthewayhemetthecriminallieutenantofOrleans，whooncemoreexhortedhimtoconfesshiscrimesopenly；butGrandierreplied——
"Alas，sir，Ihaveavowedthemall；Ihavekeptnothingback。"
"Doyoudesiremetohavemassessaidforyou？"continuedthelieutenant。
"Inotonlydesireit，butIbegforitasagreatfavour，"saidUrbain。
Alightedtorchwasthenplacedinhishand:astheprocessionstartedhepressedthetorchtohislips；helookedonallwhomhemetwithmodestconfidence，andbeggedthosewhomheknewtointercedewithGodforhim。Onthethresholdofthedoorhissentencewasreadtohim，andhewasthenplacedinasmallcartanddriventothechurchofSt。Pierreinthemarket-place。TherehewasawaitedbyM。deLaubardemont，whoorderedhimtoalight。Ashecouldnotstandonhismangledlimbs，hewaspushedout，andfellfirstonhiskneesandthenonhisface。Inthispositionheremainedpatientlywaitingtobelifted。Hewascarriedtothetopofthestepsandlaiddown，whilehissentencewasreadtohimoncemore，andjustasitwasfinished，hisconfessor，whohadnotbeenallowedtoseehimforfourdays，forcedawaythroughthecrowdandthrewhimselfintoGrandier'sarms。AtfirsttearschokedPereGrillau'svoice，butatlasthesaid，"Remember，sir，thatourSaviourJesusChristascendedtoHisFatherthroughtheagonyoftheCross:youareawiseman，donotgivewaynowandloseeverything。
Ibringyouyourmother'sblessing；sheandIneverceasetopraythatGodmayhavemercyonyouandreceiveyouintoParadise。"
ThesewordsseemedtoinspireGrandierwithnewstrength；heliftedhishead，whichpainhadbowed，andraisinghiseyestoheaven，murmuredashortprayer。Thenturningtowardstheworthy，friar，hesaid——
"Beasontomymother；praytoGodformeconstantly；askallourgoodfriarstoprayformysoul；myoneconsolationisthatIdieinnocent。ItrustthatGodinHismercymayreceivemeintoParadise。"
"IstherenothingelseIcandoforyou？"askedP6reGrillau。
"Alas，myfather!"repliedGrandier，"Iamcondemnedtodieamostcrueldeath；asktheexecutionerifthereisnowayofshorteningwhatImustundergo。"
"Igoatonce，"saidthefriar；andgivinghimabsolutionin'articulomortis'，hewentdownthesteps，andwhileGrandierwasmakinghisconfessionaloudthegoodmonkdrewtheexecutionerasideandaskediftherewerenopossibilityofalleviatingthedeath-agonybymeansofashirtdippedinbrimstone。TheexecutioneransweredthatasthesentenceexpresslystatedthatGrandierwastobeburntalive，hecouldnotemployanexpedientsosuretobediscoveredasthat；butthatifthefriarwouldgivehimthirtycrownshewouldundertaketostrangleGrandierwhilehewaskindlingthepile。PereGrillaugavehimthemoney，andtheexecutionerprovidedhimselfwitharope。TheFranciscanthenplacedhimselfwherehecouldspeaktohispenitentashepassed，andasheembracedhimforthelasttime，whisperedtohimwhathehadarrangedwiththeexecutioner，whereuponGrandierturnedtowardsthelatterandsaidinatoneofdeepgratitude——
"Thanks，mybrother。"
Atthatmoment，thearchershavingdrivenawayPereGrillau，byorderofM。deLaubardemont，bybeatinghimwiththeirhalberts，theprocessionresumeditsmarch，togothroughthesameceremonyattheUrsulinechurch，andfromtheretoproceedtothesquareofSainte-
Croix。OnthewayUrbainmetandrecognisedMoussant，whowasaccompaniedbyhiswife，andturningtowardshim，said——
"Idieyourdebtor，andifIhaveeversaidawordthatcouldoffendyouIaskyoutoforgiveme。"
Whentheplaceofexecutionwasreached，theprovost'slieutenantapproachedGrandierandaskedhisforgiveness。
"Youhavenotoffendedme，"wasthereply；"youhaveonlydonewhatyourdutyobligedyoutodo。"
Theexecutionerthencameforwardandremovedthebackboardofthecart，andorderedhisassistantstocarryGrandiertowherethepilewasprepared。Ashewasunabletostand，hewasattachedtothestakebyanironhooppassedroundhisbody。Atthatmomentaflockofpigeonsseemedtofallfromthesky，and，fearlessofthecrowd，whichwassogreatthatthearcherscouldnotsucceedevenbyblowsoftheirweaponsinclearingawayforthemagistrates，begantoflyaroundGrandier，whileone，aswhiteasthedrivensnow，alightedonthesummitofthestake，justabovehishead。Thosewhobelievedinpossessionexclaimedthattheywereonlyabandofdevilscometoseektheirmaster，butthereweremanywhomutteredthatdevilswerenotwonttoassumesuchaform，andwhopersistedinbelievingthatthedoveshadcomeindefaultofmentobearwitnesstoGrandier'sinnocence。
Intryingnextdaytocombatthisimpression，amonkassertedthathehadseenahugeflybuzzingroundGrandier'shead，andasBeelzebubmeantinHebrew，ashesaid，thegodofflies，itwasquiteevidentthatitwasthatdemonhimselfwho，takinguponhimtheformofoneofhissubjects，hadcometocarryoffthemagician'ssoul。
Wheneverythingwasprepared，theexecutionerpassedtheropebywhichhemeanttostranglehimroundGrandier'sneck；thenthepriestsexorcisedtheearth，air，andwood，andagaindemandedoftheirvictimifhewouldnotpubliclyconfesshiscrimes。Urbainrepliedthathehadnothingtosay，butthathehopedthroughthemartyr'sdeathhewasabouttodietobethatdaywithChristinParadise。
Theclerkthenreadhissentencetohimforthefourthtime，andaskedifhepersistedinwhathesaidundertorture。
"MostcertainlyIdo，"saidUrbain；"foritwastheexacttruth。"
Uponthis，theclerkwithdrew，firstinformingGrandierthatifhehadanythingtosaytothepeoplehewasatlibertytospeak。
Butthiswasjustwhattheexorcistsdidnotwant:theyknewGrandier'seloquenceandcourage，andafirm，unshakendenialatthemomentofdeathwouldbemostprejudicialtotheirinterests。Assoon，therefore，asGrandieropenedhislipstospeak，theydashedsuchaquantityofholywaterinhisfacethatittookawayhisbreath。Itwasbutforamoment，however，andherecoveredhimself，andagainendeavouredtospeak，amonkstoopeddownandstifledthewordsbykissinghimonthelips。Grandier，guessinghisintention，saidloudenoughforthosenextthepiletohear，"ThatwasthekissofJudas!"
AtthesewordsthemonksbecomesoenragedthatoneofthemstruckGrandierthreetimesinthefacewithacrucifix，whileheappearedtobegivingithimtokiss；butbythebloodthatflowedfromhisnoseandlipsatthethirdblowthosestandingnearperceivedthetruth:allGrandiercoulddowastocalloutthatheaskedforaSalveReginaandanAveMaria，whichmanybeganatoncetorepeat，whilsthewithclaspedhandsandeyesraisedtoheavencommendedhimselftoGodandtheVirgin。Theexorciststhenmadeonemoreefforttogethimtoconfesspublicly，butheexclaimed——
"Myfathers，IhavesaidallIhadtosay；IhopeinGodandinHismercy。"
Atthisrefusaltheangeroftheexorcistssurpassedallbounds，andPereLactance，takingatwistofstraw，dippeditinabucketofpitchwhichwasstandingbesidethepile，andlightingitatatorch，thrustitintohisface，crying——
"Miserablewretch!willnothingforceyoutoconfessyourcrimesandrenouncethedevil？"
"Idonotbelongtothedevil，"saidGrandier，pushingawaythestrawwithhishands；"Ihaverenouncedthedevil，Inowrenouncehimandallhisworksagain，andIpraythatGodmayhavemercyonme。"
Atthis，withoutwaitingforthesignalfromtheprovost'slieutenant，PereLactancepouredthebucketofpitchononecornerofthepileofwoodandsetfiretoit，uponwhichGrandiercalledtheexecutionertohisaid，who，hasteningup，triedinvaintostranglehim，whiletheflamesspreadapace。
"Ah!mybrother，"saidthesufferer，"isthisthewayyoukeepyourpromise？"
"It'snotmyfault，"answeredtheexecutioner；"themonkshaveknottedthecord，sothatthenoosecannotslip。"
"Oh，FatherLactance!FatherLactance!haveyounocharity？"criedGrandier。
Theexecutionerbythistimewasforcedbytheincreasingheattojumpdownfromthepile，beingindeedalmostovercome；andseeingthis，Grandierstretchedforthahandintotheflames，andsaid——
"PereLactance，Godinheavenwilljudgebetweentheeandme；I
summontheetoappearbeforeHiminthirtydays。"
Grandierwasthenseentomakeattemptstostranglehimself，buteitherbecauseitwasimpossible，orbecausehefeltitwouldbewrongtoendhislifebyhisownhands，hedesisted，andclaspinghishands，prayedaloud——
"Deusmeus，adtevigilo，miserereme。"
ACapuchinfearingthathewouldhavetimetosaymore，approachedthepilefromthesidewhichhadnotyetcaughtfire，anddashedtheremainderoftheholywaterinhisface。ThiscausedsuchsmokethatGrandierwashiddenforamomentfromtheeyesofthespectators；
whenitclearedaway，itwasseenthathisclotheswerenowalight；
hisvoicecouldstillbeheardfromthemidstoftheflamesraisedinprayer；thenthreetimes，eachtimeinaweakervoice，hepronouncedthenameofJesus，andgivingonecry，hisheadfellforwardonhisbreast。
Atthatmomentthepigeonswhichhadtillthenneverceasedtocircleroundthestake，flewaway，andwerelostintheclouds。
UrbainGrandierhadgivenuptheghost。
CHAPTERXII
Thistimeitwasnotthemanwhowasexecutedwhowasguilty，buttheexecutioners；consequentlywefeelsurethatourreaderswillbeanxioustolearnsomethingoftheirfate。
PereLactancediedinthemostterribleagonyonSeptember18th，1634，exactlyamonthfromthedateofGrandier'sdeath。Hisbrother-monksconsideredthatthiswasduetothevengeanceofSatan；
butotherswerenotwantingwhosaid，rememberingthesummonsutteredbyGrandier，thatitwasratherduetothejusticeofGod。Severalattendantcircumstancesseemedtofavourthelatteropinion。TheauthoroftheHistoryoftheDevilsofLoudzingivesanaccountofoneofthesecircumstances，fortheauthenticityofwhichhevouches，andfromwhichweextractthefollowing:
"SomedaysaftertheexecutionofGrandier，PereLactancefellillofthediseaseofwhichhedied。Feelingthatitwasofsupernaturalorigin，hedeterminedtotakeapilgrimagetoNotreDamedesAndilliersdeSaumur，wheremanymiracleswerewrought，andwhichwasheldinhighestimationintheneighbourhood。AplaceinthecarriageoftheSieurdeCanayewasofferedhimforthejourney；forthisgentleman，accompaniedbyalargepartyonpleasurebent，wasjustthensettingoutforhisestateofGrandFonds，whichlayinthesamedirection。ThereasonfortheofferwasthatCanayeandhisfriends，havingheardthatthelastwordsofGrandierhadaffectedPereLactance'smind，expectedtofindagreatdealofamusementinexcitingtheterrorsoftheirtravelling-companion。Andintruth，foradayortwo，thebooncompanionssharpenedtheirwitsattheexpenseoftheworthymonk，whenallatonce，onagoodroadandwithoutapparentcause，thecarriageoverturned。Thoughnoonewashurt，theaccidentappearedsostrangetothepleasure-seekersthatitputanendtothejokesofeventheboldestamongthem。PereLactancehimselfappearedmelancholyandpreoccupied，andthateveningatsupperrefusedtoeat，repeatingoverandoveragain——
"'ItwaswrongofmetodenyGrandiertheconfessorheaskedfor；Godispunishingme，Godispunishingme!'
"Onthefollowingmorningthejourneywasresumed，buttheevidentdistressofmindunderwhichPereLactancelabouredhadsodampedthespiritsofthepartythatalltheirgaietyhaddisappeared。
Suddenly，justoutsideFenet，wheretheroadwasinexcellentconditionandnoobstacletotheirprogressapparent，thecarriageupsetforthesecondtime。Althoughagainnoonewashurt，thetravellersfeltthattherewasamongthemsomeoneagainstwhomGod'sangerwasturned，andtheirsuspicionspointingtoPereLactance，theywentontheirway，leavinghimbehind，andfeelingveryuncomfortableatthethoughtthattheyhadspenttwoorthreedaysinhissociety。
PereLactanceatlastreachedNotre-DamedesAndilliers；buthowevernumerouswerethemiraclesthereperformed，theremissionofthedoompronouncedbythemartyronPereLactancewasnotaddedtotheirnumber；andataquarter-pastsixonSeptember18th，exactlyamonthtotheveryminuteafterGrandier'sdeath，PereLactanceexpiredinexcruciatingagony。"
PereTranquille'sturncamefouryearslater。Themaladywhichattackedhimwassoextraordinarythatthephysicianswerequiteataloss，andforcedtodeclaretheirignoranceofanyremedy。Hisshrieksandblasphemiesweresodistinctlyheardinthestreets，thathisbrotherFranciscans，fearingtheeffecttheywouldhaveonhisafter-reputation，especiallyinthemindsofthosewhohadseenGrandierdiewithwordsofprayeronhislips，spreadabroadthereportthatthedevilswhomhehadexpelledfromthebodiesofthenunshadenteredintothebodyoftheexorcist。Hediedshrieking——
"MyGod!howIsuffer!NotallthedevilsandallthedamnedtogetherendurewhatIendure!"Hispanegyrist，inwhosebookwefindallthehorribledetailsofhisdeathemployedtomuchpurposetoillustratetheadvantagesofbelongingtothetruefaith，remarks——
"Trulybiggenerousheartmusthavebeenahothellforthosefiendswhoenteredhisbodytotormentit。"
Thefollowingepitaphwhichwasplacedoverhisgravewasinterpreted，accordingtotheprepossessionsofthosewhoreadit，eitherasatestimonytohissanctityorasaproofofhispunishment:——
"HereliesPereTranquille，ofSaint-Remi；ahumbleCapuchinpreacher。Thedemonsnolongerabletoendurehisfearlesslyexercisedpowerasanexorcist，andencouragedbysorcerers，torturedhimtodeath，onMay31st，1638。"
ButadeathaboutwhichtherecouldbenodoubtastothecausewasthatofthesurgeonMannouri，thesamewhohad，asthereadermayrecollect，beenthefirsttotortureGrandier。Oneeveningaboutteno'clockhewasreturningfromavisittoapatientwholivedontheoutskirtsofthetown，accompaniedbyacolleagueandprecededbyhissurgeryattendantcarryingalantern。WhentheyreachedthecentreofthetownintherueGrand-Pave，whichpassesbetweenthewallsofthecastlegroundsandthegardensoftheFranciscanmonastery，Mannourisuddenlystopped，and，staringfixedlyatsomeobjectwhichwasinvisibletohiscompanions，exclaimedwithastart——
"Oh!thereisGrandier!
"Where？where？"criedtheothers。
Hepointedinthedirectiontowardswhichhiseyeswereturned，andbeginningtotrembleviolently，asked——
"Whatdoyouwantwithme，Grandier？Whatdoyouwant？"
Amomentlaterheadded"Yes-yes，Iamcoming。"
Immediatelyitseemedasifthevisionvanishedfrombeforehiseyes，buttheeffectremained。Hisbrother-surgeonandtheservantbroughthimhome，butneithercandlesnorthelightofdaycouldallayhisfears；hisdisorderedbrainshowedhimGrandiereverstandingatthefootofhisbed。Awholeweekhecontinued，aswasknownalloverthetown，inthisconditionofabjectterror；thenthespectreseemedtomovefromitsplaceandgraduallytodrawnearer，forhekeptonrepeating，"Heiscoming!heiscoming!"andatlength，towardsevening，ataboutthesamehouratwhichGrandierexpired，SurgeonMannouridrewhislastbreath。
WehavestilltotellofM。deLaubardemont。AllweknowisthusrelatedinthelettersofM。dePatin:——
"Onthe9thinst。，atnineo'clockintheevening，acarriagewasattackedbyrobbers；onhearingthenoisethetownspeoplerantothespot，drawnthitherasmuchbycuriosityasbyhumanity。Afewshotswereexchangedandtherobbersputtoflight，withtheexceptionofonemanbelongingtotheirbandwhowastakenprisoner，andanotherwholaywoundedonthepaving-stones。Thislatterdiednextdaywithouthavingspoken，andleftnocluebehindastowhohewas。Hisidentitywas，however，atlengthmadeclear。HewasthesonofahighdignitarynameddeLaubardemont，whoin1634，asroyalcommissioner，condemnedUrbainGrandier，apoor，priestofLoudun，tobeburntalive，underthepretencethathehadcausedseveralnunsofLouduntobepossessedbydevils。Thesenunshehadsotutoredastotheirbehaviourthatmanypeoplefoolishlybelievedthemtobedemoniacs。MaywenotregardthefateofhissonasachastisementinflictedbyHeavenonthisunjustjudge——anexpiationexactedforthepitilesslycrueldeathinflictedonhisvictim，whosebloodstillcriesuntotheLordfromtheground？"
NaturallythepersecutionofUrbainGrandierattractedtheattentionnotonlyofjournalistsbutofpoets。Amongthemanypoemswhichwereinspiredbyit，thefollowingisoneofthebest。Urbainspeaks:——
"FromhellcamethetidingsthatbyhorriblesanctionsIhadmadeapactwiththedeviltohavepoweroverwomen:
Thoughnotonecouldbefoundtoaccuseme。
Inthetrialwhichdeliveredmetotortureandthestake，Thedemonwhoaccusedmeinventedandsuggestedthecrime，Andhistestimonywastheonlyproofagainstme。
TheEnglishintheirrageburnttheMaidalive；
Likeher，Itoofellavictimtorevenge；
Wewerebothaccusedfalselyofthesamecrime；
InParissheisadored，inLondonabhorred；
InLoudunsomeholdmeguiltyofwitchcraft，Somebelievemeinnocent；somehaltbetweentwominds。
LikeHercules，Ilovedpassionately；
Likehim，Iwasconsumedbyfire；
Buthebydeathbecameagod。
TheinjusticeofmydeathwassowellconcealedThatnoonecanjudgewhethertheflamessavedordestroyedme；
Whethertheyblackenedmeforhell，orpurifiedmeforheaven。
InvaindidIsuffertormentswithunshakenresolution；
TheysaidthatIfeltnopain，beingasorcererdiedunrepentant；
ThattheprayersIutteredwereimpiouswords；
ThatinkissingtheimageonthecrossIspatinitsface；
ThatcastingmyeyestoheavenImockedthesaints；
ThatwhenIseemedtocallonGod，IinvokedthedevilOthers，morecharitable，say，inspiteoftheirhatredofmycrime，Thatmydeathmaybeadmiredalthoughmylifewasnotblameless；
ThatmyresignationshowedthatIdiedinhopeandfaith；
Thattoforgive，tosufferwithoutcomplaintormurmur，Isperfectlove；andthatthesoulispurifiedFromthesinsoflifebyadeathlikemine。