A Heroine of France

ey to Domremy, before a wild gale from the northeast brought heavy snow, which lay white upon the ground for many long weeks, and grew deeper and deeper as mor

astle of which Robert de Baudricourt was governor, and for awhile little news reached us from the outsi

sed without our thinking of her, recalling something of that wonderful look we had seen upon her face, and asking in our hearts whether

apel of the Castle; and, instead of growing lax (as I had done before many times in my roving life), as to attending confession and receiving the Holy Sacrament, I now began to feel the need for both, as though I were preparing me for some great and solemn undertaking. I cannot well express in words the feeling which possessed me--ay, and Bertrand too--f

came a wonderful change in the weather. The frost yielded, the south wind blew soft, the snow melted away one scarce knew

le, else should we doubtless have been of the party. But he was the most sagacious huntsman of the district, and a rare day's sport they did have, killing more than a score of wolves, to the great joy of the townsfolk and of the country people without the walls. It was dark ere he got

fore the fire and quaffing a great tankard of spiced wine which was brought to him. Then he betook himself to his own chamber to get him dry garments, and when he came down supper was already served. He sat him down at the head of the table, still silent an

and we had gathered round the fire at the far end of the

town today?" he su

cupied all day within the Castle over the

nought of the commot

len, good sir? Is it some disaster? Hath Or

fear possessing all loy

rom Domremy is now in the town, telling all men that Robert de Baudricourt hath been appointed of God to send h

Send a little paysanne to the King with a wild story like hers! 'Tis enoug

s time of waiting had not bred either indifference or doubt. The time appointed was drawi

heaven, this thing? And should we seek to

return home and trouble him no more. It was because he was torn by doubts as to her mission that he was thus perturbed in spirit. He dared not treat her in this summary fashion, lest haply he should be found to be fighting against God; and yet he found it hard to believe that any deliverance for hapless France could come through the hands of

ou were fooled by a pretty face and a silvery voice. Go to!-

God, shall we not also believe that He c

n and silly girl!" scoffed De Baudric

ly turned upon

eking to deceive. Catch her in her speech if it may be. See whether the tale she tells hang together, and then come and report to me. If she be a mad woman, why should I be troubled with her? She cannot go to the Dauphin yet, come what may. The melting snows have laid the valleys under water, the roads are im

ld go to her as if a mere passing stranger, and only afterwards reveal myself as his emissary. I slept but little all that night, making plans as to all that I should speak when I saw her on the mor

eyes alight with the depth of her devotion, her hands clasped in an ecstasy of prayer, was the Maid herself; and

e away. But after breakfast, as the sun shone forth and began to light up the narrow streets of the little town, I sallied forth again alone, an

is council, and had made her great demand from him, and how she had come once again, now that the year was born and Lent approaching, in the which she had said she must seek and find the Dauphin. Thus the man was able at once to give me the information I asked, and told me that the girl was lodging with Hen

ourse of people gathered about the house, and though they made way for me to approach, knowing that I was from the Castle, I saw that they were ve

heard somewhat of her matter from the bystanders, and I a

of fate that the King or Dauphin of France must be overcome of England's King, and that

s fastened themselves on my face, and I f

He has sent me to the Governor here, who will direct me to the Dauphin, who knows nothing of me as yet. But I am to bring him help, and that by Mid-Lent. So I pray you, gentle knight, go tell Robert de Ba

de Baudricourt?" I asked, marvelling at

hosen so gracious a messenger; for you have a good heart, and you are no mocker of the things my Lord h

ded by her w

s your

ered, and bent her he

before her, and put up my clasped hands, as we do when we pay homage for our lands and honours to our liege lord. And, I speak truth, and nought e

ves you as His faithful knight and servan

areheaded round us, whilst I felt as tho

e gentle frankness of a child, but with a reverence and humility that was beautiful to see, and which was in strange contras

heard voices, which she knew to be from above, speaking to her, bidding her to be good, to go to the church, to attend to her simple duties at home. But as she grew older there came a change. She remembered the day when first she saw a wonderful white light hovering above her

ffrighted, and wept, and besought them to find some other for the task, since she was but a humble country maid, and knew nothing of the art of warfare, and shuddered at the sight of blood. But they told her to be brave, to trust in the Lord, to think only of Him and

sts of the English which encompass it. I am appointed for this task, and I shall accomplish it by the grace of my Lord and His holy saints. Then the crown must be set upon the head of the Dauphin, and he must be anointed as the king. After that my task will be done; but not till then. And now I must needs set forth upon the appointed

p and poignant that to doubt would have been impossible. France had been sold and betrayed by one bad woman; but here was the Maid who should arise to save! I kne

tood, tall and slim, before me, straight as a young poplar, graceful, despite her

he answered simply, "the fifth

of this? What said they when you bi

beautiful eyes; but they did not

ather should hold me back: He is very slow to believe my mission; he chides me bitterly if ever word be spoken anent it. Is it not always so w

then, to disobe

udricourt had insisted upon; for he knew something of Jacq

rd must stand the first. He knows all, and He will pardon. He knows that I love my fa

her; I think she had forgotten my presence, for when she

ur ebbing from her face, "but I am in the h

e had spoken was of deliverance, of victory? She spoke them without knowing it. Of that I was assure

eager for my report. I gave him one quick glance upon entering, which I trow he read and understood; but to De Baudricourt I spoke with caution and with measured words, for he was a

ad, or possessed by some spirit of vainglory and ambitio

and voices, and I cannot believe them delusions of the senses. You may ask, are they of the Devil? Then would I say, if there be doubt, let the Abbe Perigord approach her with holy water, with exorcisms, or with such sacred words and signs as devils must needs flee before. Then if it be established that the thing is not

questioned me again, and yet again, and had even held one interview himself with the Maid, who came of her own

of his rattling

nd bell--and I know not what beside--then shall she be sent to the King at Chin