according to deserts.”  Great lords and simple gentlemen, old and young warriors, were eager to go and join Joan for the salvation of the king and of France.  The constable, De Richemont, banished from the court through the jealous hatred of George la Tremoille, made a pressing application there, followed by a body of men-at-arms; and, when the king refused to see him, he resolved, though continuing in disgrace, to take an active part in the war.  The young Duke of Alencon, who had been a prisoner with the English since the battle of Agincourt, hurried on the payment of his ransom in order to accompany Joan as lieutenant-general of the king in the little army which was forming.  His wife, the duchess, was in grief about it.  “We have just spent great sums,” said she, “in buying him back from the English; if he would take my advice, he would stay at home.”  “Madame,” said Joan, “I will bring him back to you safe and sound, nay, even in better contentment than at present; be not afraid.”  And on this promise the duchess took heart.  Du Guesciin’s widow, Joan de Laval, was still living; and she had two grandsons, Guy and Andrew de Laval, who were amongst the most zealous of those taking service in the army destined to march on Rheims.  The king, to all appearance, desired to keep them near his person.  “God forbid that I should do so,” wrote Guy de Laval, on the 8th of June, 1429, to those most dread dames, his grandmother and his mother; “my brother says, as also my lord the Duke d’Alencon, that a good riddance of bad rubbish would he be who should stay at home.”  And he describes his first interview with the Maid as follows:  “The king had sent for her to come and meet him at Selles-en-Berry.  Some say that it was for my sake, in order that I might see her.  She gave right good cheer (a kind reception) to my brother and myself; and after we had dismounted at Selles I went to see her in her quarters.  She ordered wine, and told me that she would soon have me drinking some at Paris.  It seems a thing divine to look on her and listen to her.  I saw her mount on horseback, armed all in white armor, save her head, and with a little axe in her hand, on a great black charger, which, at the door of her quarters, was very restive, and would not let her mount.  Then said she, ‘Lead him to the cross,’ which was in front of the neighboring church, on the road.  There she mounted him without his moving, and as if he were tied up; and turning towards the door of the church, which was very nigh at hand, she said, in quite a womanly voice, ’You, priests and church-men, make procession and prayers to God.’  Then she resumed her road, saying, ’Push forward, push forward.’  She told me that three days before my arrival she had sent you, dear grand-mother, a little golden ring, but that it was a very small matter, and she would have liked to send you something better, having regard to your estimation.”