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 Pere 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 a