第5章

"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。