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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 the crowd；
which was so great that the archers could not succeed even by blows
of their weapons in clearing a way for the magistrates； began to fly
around Grandier； while one； as white as the driven snow； alighted on
the summit of the stake； just above his head。 Those who believed in
possession exclaimed that they were only a band of devils come to
seek their master； but there were many who muttered that devils were
not wont to assume such a form； and who persisted in believing that
the doves had come in default of men to bear witness to Grandier's
innocence。
In trying next day to combat this impression； a monk asserted that he
had seen a huge fly buzzing round Grandier's head； and as Beelzebub
meant in Hebrew； as he said； the god of flies； it was quite evident
that it was that demon himself who； taking upon him the form of one
of his subjects； had come to carry off the magician's soul。
When everything was prepared； the executioner passed the rope by
which he meant to strangle him round Grandier's neck； then the
priests exorcised the earth； air； and wood； and again demanded of
their victim if he would not publicly confess his crimes。 Urbain
replied that he had nothing to say； but that he hoped through the
martyr's death he was about to die to be that day with Christ in
Paradise。
The clerk then read his sentence to him for the fourth time； and
asked if he persisted in what he said under torture。
〃Most certainly I do；〃 said Urbain； 〃for it was the exact truth。〃
Upon this； the clerk withdrew； first informing Grandier that if he
had anything to say to the people he was at liberty to speak。
But this was just what the exorcists did not want： they knew
Grandier's eloquence and courage； and a firm； unshaken denial at the
moment of death would be most prejudicial to their interests。 As
soon； therefore； as Grandier opened his lips to speak； they dashed
such a quantity of holy water in his face that it took away his
breath。 It was but for a moment； however； and he recovered himself；
and again endeavoured to speak； a monk stooped down and stifled the
words by kissing him on the lips。 Grandier； guessing his intention；
said loud enough for those next the pile to hear； 〃That was the kiss
of Judas！〃
At these words the monks become so enraged that one of them struck
Grandier three times in the face with a crucifix； while he appeared
to be giving it him to kiss； but by the blood that flowed from his
nose and lips at the third blow those standing near perceived the
truth： all Grandier could do was to call out that he asked for a
Salve Regina and an Ave Maria； which many began at once to repeat；
whilst he with clasped hands and eyes raised to heaven commended
himself to God and the Virgin。 The exorcists then made one more
effort to get him to confess publicly； but he exclaimed
〃My fathers； I have said all I had to say； I hope in God and in His
mercy。〃
At this refusal the anger of the exorcists surpassed all bounds； and
Pere Lactance； taking a twist of straw； dipped it in a bucket of
pitch which was standing beside the pile； and lighting it at a torch；
thrust it into his face； crying
〃Miserable wretch！ will nothing force you to confess your crimes and
renounce the devil？〃
〃I do not belong to the devil；〃 said Grandier； pushing away the straw
with his hands； 〃I have renounced the devil； I now renounce him and
all his works again； and I pray that God may have mercy on me。〃
At this； without waiting for the signal from the provost's
lieutenant； Pere Lactance poured the bucket of pitch on one corner of
the pile of wood and set fire to it； upon which Grandier called the
executioner to his aid； who； hastening up； tried in vain to strangle
him； while the flames spread apace。
〃Ah！ my brother；〃 said the sufferer； 〃is this the way you keep your
promise？〃
〃It's not my fault；〃 answered the executioner； 〃the monks have
knotted the cord； so that the noose cannot slip。〃
〃Oh； Father Lactance！ Father Lactance！ have you no charity？〃 cried
Grandier。
The executioner by this time was forced by the increasing heat to
jump down from the pile； being indeed almost overcome； and seeing
this； Grandier stretched forth a hand into the flames； and said
〃Pere Lactance； God in heaven will judge between thee and me； I
summon thee to appear before Him in thirty days。〃
Grandier was then seen to make attempts to strangle himself； but
either because it was impossible； or because he felt it would be
wrong to end his life by his own hands； he desisted； and clasping his
hands； prayed aloud
〃Deus meus； ad te vigilo； miserere me。〃
A Capuchin fearing that he would have time to say more； approached
the pile from the side which had not yet caught fire； and dashed the
remainder of the holy water in his face。 This caused such smoke that
Grandier was hidden for a moment from the eyes of the spectators；
when it cleared away； it was seen that his clothes were now alight；
his voice could still be heard from the midst of the flames raised in
prayer； then three times； each time in a weaker voice； he pronounced
the name of Jesus； and giving one cry； his head fell forward on his
breast。
At that moment the pigeons which had till then never ceased to circle
round the stake； flew away； and were lost in the clouds。
Urbain Grandier had given up the ghost。
CHAPTER XII
This time it was not the man who was executed who was guilty； but the
executioners； consequently we feel sure that our readers will be
anxious to learn something of their fate。
Pere Lactance died in the most terrible agony on September 18th；
1634； exactly a month from the date of Grandier's death。 His
brother…monks considered that this was due to the vengeance of Satan；
but others were not wanting who said； remembering the summons uttered
by Grandier； that it was rather due to the justice of God。 Several
attendant circumstances seemed to favour the latter opinion。 The
author of the History of the Devils of Loudzin gives an account of
one of these circumstances； for the authenticity of which he vouches；
and from which we extract the following：
〃Some days after the execution of Grandier； Pere Lactance fell ill of
the disease of which he died。 Feeling that it was of supernatural
origin； he determined to take a pilgrimage to Notre Dame des
Andilliers de Saumur； where many miracles were wrought； and which was
held in high estimation in the neighbourhood。 A place in the
carriage of the Sieur de Canaye was offered him for the journey； for
this gentleman； accompanied by a large party on pleasure bent； was
just then setting out for his estate of Grand Fonds； which lay in the
same direction。 The reason for the offer was that Canaye and his
friends； having heard that the last words of Grandier had affected
Pere Lactance's mind； expected to find a great deal of amusement in
exciting the terrors of their travelling…companion。 And in truth；
for a day or two； the boon companions sharpened their wits at the
expense of the worthy monk； when all at once； o