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Grandier replied that not only had no improper relations ever existed
between them； but that the day he had been confronted with her at his
trial was the first time he had ever seen her。
At the seventh wedge Grandier's legs burst open； and the blood
spurted into Pere Lactance's face； but he wiped it away with the
sleeve of his gown。
〃O Lord my God； have mercy on me！ I die！〃 cried Grandier； and
fainted for the fourth time。 Pere Lactance seized the opportunity to
take a short rest； and sat down。
When Grandier had once more come to himself； he began slowly to utter
a prayer； so beautiful and so moving that the provost's lieutenant
wrote it down； but de Laubardemont noticing this； forbade him ever to
show it to anyone。
At the eighth wedge the bones gave way； and the marrow oozed out of
the wounds； and it became useless to drive in any more wedges； the
legs being now as flat as the boards that compressed them； and
moreover Pere Lactance was quite worn out。
Grandier was unbound and laid upon the flagged floor； and while his
eyes shone with fever and agony he prayed again a second prayera
veritable martyr's prayer； overflowing with faith and enthusiasm； but
as he ended his strength failed； and he again became unconscious。
The provost's lieutenant forced a little wine between his lips； which
brought him to； then he made an act of contrition； renounced Satan
and all his works once again； and commended his soul to God。
Four men entered； his legs were freed from the boards； and the
crushed parts were found to be a mere inert mass； only attached to
the knees by the sinews。 He was then carried to the council chamber；
and laid on a little straw before the fire。
In a corner of the fireplace an Augustinian monk was seated。 Urbain
asked leave to confess to him； which de Laubardemont refused； holding
out the paper he desired to have signed once more； at which Grandier
said
〃If I would not sign to spare myself before； am I likely to give way
now that only death remains？〃
〃True；〃 replied Laubardemont； 〃but the mode of your death is in our
hands： it rests with us to make it slow or quick； painless or
agonising； so take this paper and sign？
Grandier pushed the paper gently away； shaking his head in sign of
refusal； whereupon de Laubardemont left the room in a fury； and
ordered Peres Tranquille and Claude to be admitted； they being the
confessors he had chosen for Urbain。 When they came near to fulfil
their office； Urbain recognised in them two of his torturers； so he
said that； as it was only four days since he had confessed to Pere
Grillau； and he did not believe he had committed any mortal sin since
then； he would not trouble them； upon which they cried out at him as
a heretic and infidel； but without any effect。
At four o'clock the executioner's assistants came to fetch him； he
was placed lying on a bier and carried out in that position。 On the
way he met the criminal lieutenant of Orleans； who once more exhorted
him to confess his crimes openly； but Grandier replied
〃Alas； sir； I have avowed them all； I have kept nothing back。〃
〃Do you desire me to have masses said for you？〃 continued the
lieutenant。
〃I not only desire it； but I beg for it as a great favour；〃 said
Urbain。
A lighted torch was then placed in his hand： as the procession
started he pressed the torch to his lips； he looked on all whom he
met with modest confidence； and begged those whom he knew to
intercede with God for him。 On the threshold of the door his
sentence was read to him； and he was then placed in a small cart and
driven to the church of St。 Pierre in the market…place。 There he was
awaited by M。 de Laubardemont； who ordered him to alight。 As he
could not stand on his mangled limbs； he was pushed out； and fell
first on his knees and then on his face。 In this position he
remained patiently waiting to be lifted。 He was carried to the top
of the steps and laid down； while his sentence was read to him once
more； and just as it was finished； his confessor； who had not been
allowed to see him for four days； forced a way through the crowd and
threw himself into Grandier's arms。 At first tears choked Pere
Grillau's voice； but at last he said； 〃Remember； sir； that our
Saviour Jesus Christ ascended to His Father through the agony of the
Cross： you are a wise man； do not give way now and lose everything。
I bring you your mother's blessing； she and I never cease to pray
that God may have mercy on you and receive you into Paradise。〃
These words seemed to inspire Grandier with new strength； he lifted
his head； which pain had bowed； and raising his eyes to heaven；
murmured a short prayer。 Then turning towards the worthy； friar； he
said
〃Be a son to my mother； pray to God for me constantly； ask all our
good friars to pray for my soul； my one consolation is that I die
innocent。 I trust that God in His mercy may receive me into
Paradise。〃
〃Is there nothing else I can do for you？〃 asked P6re Grillau。
〃Alas； my father！〃 replied Grandier； 〃I am condemned to die a most
cruel death； ask the executioner if there is no way of shortening
what I must undergo。〃
〃I go at once；〃 said the friar； and giving him absolution in
'articulo mortis'； he went down the steps； and while Grandier was
making his confession aloud the good monk drew the executioner aside
and asked if there were no possibility of alleviating the death…agony
by means of a shirt dipped in brimstone。 The executioner answered
that as the sentence expressly stated that Grandier was to be burnt
alive； he could not employ an expedient so sure to be discovered as
that； but that if the friar would give him thirty crowns he would
undertake to strangle Grandier while he was kindling the pile。 Pere
Grillau gave him the money； and the executioner provided himself with
a rope。 The Franciscan then placed himself where he could speak to
his penitent as he passed； and as he embraced him for the last time；
whispered to him what he had arranged with the executioner； whereupon
Grandier turned towards the latter and said in a tone of deep
gratitude
〃Thanks； my brother。〃
At that moment； the archers having driven away Pere Grillau； by order
of M。 de Laubardemont； by beating him with their halberts； the
procession resumed its march； to go through the same ceremony at the
Ursuline church； and from there to proceed to the square of Sainte…
Croix。 On the way Urbain met and recognised Moussant； who was
accompanied by his wife； and turning towards him； said
〃I die your debtor； and if I have ever said a word that could offend
you I ask you to forgive me。〃
When the place of execution was reached； the provost's lieutenant
approached Grandier and asked his forgiveness。
〃You have not offended me；〃 was the reply； 〃you have only done what
your duty obliged you to do。〃
The executioner then came forward and removed the back board of the
cart； and ordered his assistants to carry Grandier to where the pile
was prepared。 As he was unable to stand； he was attached to the
stake by an iron hoop passed round his body。 At that moment a flock
of pigeons seemed to fall from the sky； and； fearless of