After twelve days Joan reached Chinon, where the King was tarrying.  But here new difficulties arose:  she could not get an interview with the King; it was opposed by his most influential ministers and courtiers.  “Why waste precious time,” said they, “when Orleans is in the utmost peril, to give attention to a mad peasant-girl, who, if not mad, must be possessed with a devil:  a sorceress to be avoided; what can she do for France?” The Archbishop of Rheims, the prime-minister of Charles, especially was against her.  The learned doctors of the schools derided her claims.  It would seem that her greatest enemies were in the Church and the universities.  “Not many wise, not many mighty are called.”  The deliverers of nations in great exigencies rarely have the favor of the great.  But the women of the court spoke warmly in Joan’s favor, for her conduct was modest and irreproachable; and after two days she was admitted to the royal castle, the Count of Vendome leading her to the royal presence.  Charles stood among a crowd of nobles, all richly dressed; but in her visions this pure enthusiast had seen more glories than an earthly court, and she was undismayed.  To the King she repeated the words which had thus far acted liked a charm:  “I am Joan the Maid, sent by God to save France;” and she demanded troops.  But the King was cautious; he sent two monks to her native village to inquire all about her, while nobles and ecclesiastics cross-questioned her.  She was, however, treated courteously, and given in charge to the King’s lieutenant, whose wife was a woman of virtue and piety.  Many distinguished people visited her in the castle to which she was assigned, on whom she made a good impression by her modesty, good sense, and sublime enthusiasm.  It was long debated in the royal council whether she should be received or rejected; but as affairs were in an exceedingly critical condition, and Orleans was on the point of surrender, it was concluded to listen to her voice.

It must be borne in mind that the age was exceedingly superstitious, and the statesmen of the distracted and apparently ruined country probably decided to make use of this girl, not from any cordial belief in her mission, but from her influence on the people.  She might stimulate them to renewed efforts.  She was an obscure and ignorant peasant-girl, it was true, but God might have chosen her as an instrument.  In this way very humble people, with great claims, have often got the ear and the approval of the wise and powerful, as instruments of Almighty Providence.  When Moody and Sankey first preached in London, it was the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief-Justice—­who happened to be religious men—­that, amid the cynicism of ordinary men of rank, gave them the most encouragement, and frequently attended their meetings.