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