\"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。
