[Massacres Of The South (1551-1815) III by Alexandre Dumas Pere]@TWC D-Link book
Massacres Of The South (1551-1815) III

CHAPTER XI
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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.


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