.

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