A Heroine of France

Dauphin at Chinon. The weary days of waiting were at an end. She was to start forthwith; she and her escort were alike ready, willing,

Maid in its midst. Almost were the townsfolk ready to worship her, only that there was something in her own simplicity and earnest piety which forbade such dem

ce--not even to the wife of my manhood's tried affections. It was such a love as may be inspired by some almost angelic, presence--there was no passion in it. I believe I speak truly when I say that not one of the Maid's true followers and knights and comrades-in-arms, ever thought of her as possible wife--ever even dr

was the instrument appointed of her Lord to do the appointed work. To that task her whole soul was bent. It filled her to the full with an ecstasy of devotion which required no words in which to express i

ould fail to reach, that this Maid was indeed chosen and set apart of Heaven for a great and mighty work, and that in

lowers of the humbler sort she ever showed herself full of consideration and kindliness. She felt for their fatigues or privations in marching, was tenderly solicitous later on for the wounded

off in the early dawn of a late February day

he manner born. The pawings of the impatient animal caused her no anxiety. She was looking with a keen eye over her little band of followers, taking in, as a practi

etness of voice or aspect, but the air of command combined with it as though it came direct and without effort as a gift from heaven. None resented it; al

hough soon she was to adopt the headpiece which belonged to the light armour provided. She had been pleased by the dress of white and blue cut-cloth which I had humbly offered her, and right well did it become

the courtyard of the Castle, getting ourselves into the order of the march, De Baudricourt himself appeared upon the ste

word, then. I trow it will do you faithful service; and may the Lord in whom you trust lead you to

s, and how that you have been chosen of heaven to send me forth thus, and have done the bidding of the Lord, as I knew that so true a man must needs do at the appointed time. For the rest, have no fear. The Lord will a

d old soldier, as he eyed the slim figure before him with so

essed him, he took her hand and kissed i

you, a blessing

d her hand upon the grizzled head, and lifted h

sed Lady be yours, in that you have shown kindness and favour to a simple maid of the people, set apart by Heaven for a certain task. The favour and prot

. Every head was bared, and we all gazed upon her, as upon one who looks through t

face was transfigured; a great light seemed to sh

f Heaven--give to these, Your children, Your blessing, Your help, Your protection, Your counsel! Be with us in our journeyings--in our uprising and down lying, in our going out and coming in--in all we put o

d lined with townsfolk, and with people from the surrounding villages, who had crowded in to see t

y my fingers, for she herself knew not letters, though of so quick an understanding in other matters) to her parents, praying earnestly for their forgiveness fo

her, and whether or no he believed in his sister's call, I have never truly heard. But I know it pleased her that Pierre should be in her escort, though she was careful not to show him any marked favour above others; and as in days to come she was more

English or Burgundian soldiers might be on the look out for us; for already it was being noised abroad that a miraculous Maid had appeared to the aid of France, and though, no doubt, men jeered, and

stile soldiers, that his comrades had been slain, and that he himself only escaped as by a miracle; and his advice was urgent that after the first day we should travel by night, and lie in hiding during the hours of daylight--a pi

ster in the sky, they took their leave of us, the Maid thanked them with gracious words for their company and good wishes, though she would not suffer them to kiss her hand or pay her homage; and after tha

avoiding towns and villages, lest we should draw too much notice upon ourselves. Ofttimes we suffered from cold, from hunger, from drenching rains and bitt

nspired even the roughest of the men-at-arms with a desire to emulate it. Never, methinks, on such a toilsome march was so little grumbling, so little discouragement, and, above all, so little swearing

et pained face would be turned upon the speaker.

wear not at all. Shall we not seek to obey Him? Are we not vowed to His service? And must not the soldier be obedient above al

speak them, and her courage and her purity of heart and life threw its spell over the rough men she ha

her a mischief, and to sell her into the hands of the Burgundians or the English. But even before leaving Vaucouleurs the men had wavered, half ashamed

ght, when, as we journeyed, we approached the town of Fierbois, a place very well known to me; and when we halted in a wood with the first light of day, and the wearied soldiers made them

celebrated within its walls. If you will trust yourself with Bertrand and myself, I trow we could safely convey y

ew minutes later, and we were walking together through the wood, and had quickly reached the

rough me, as though I had been touched by an unseen hand. I looked at her, and upon her face had come a look which told me that she was listening to some voice unheard by me.

r. I will remember. When the tim

t the Maid would speak to us of what had been revealed to her in that church, but she kept the matter in her own heart. Yet, methinks, she pondered it long and earnestly; for althoug

f of Jeanne d'Arc, the maiden from Domremy, of whom he had probably heard. This letter I dispatched to Sir Guy de Laval, asking him to

l, and was acquainted with the person of Sir Guy. He was to ride forward

huge round turrets rising, as it were, from amid the mists which clung about the river and its banks. There we halted, for no message had yet come from the King; but upon the Maid's face was a look of

e had narrowly escaped; and now, as she looked upon the towers of Chinon, growing more and more distinct as the

is begun will go forward to its completion. God hath spok

forward a little way along the plain, for I had seen a handful of horsemen sallying forth, as it

Guy in turn recognising me, spurred forward in advance of his followers

Dieu--but it is passing strange! All the Court is in a fever of wonder about this Angelic Maid, as some call her; whilst o

ll who see her marvel at her, and some be ready to worship her. But we will say no more. You shall see for you

o battle with a maid for leader. The Churchmen look grave, and talk of witchcraft and delusion. The ladies of the Court are in a fever to see her. As for the King and his Ministers, they are divided in mind 'twixt hope and

said I, and

ard to meet us at a foot's pace, and reined back a few yards from us, her eyes fixed full upon the face of Sir Gu

not flee away. He must stay to face his foes. I will lead his armies to victory, and he shall yet be cro

orse by now; he bent

truly come," he said; and taking her hand, ere