O no, she could not think of deserting France in this her hour of need!  Much had been done; but much yet remained to do.  If she were to quit her post, there could be no telling what might not follow.  The English, cowed and bewildered now, might well pluck up heart of grace, and sweep back through the country once owning their sway, driving all foes before them as in the days of old.  The victories won in these last weeks might soon be swallowed up in fresh defeat and disaster.  How could we expect it to be otherwise if the presence of the Maid were withdrawn?

These and a hundred other questions and conjectures were buzzing through the great hall.  Wonder and amaze was on every face.  The King himself looked grave for a moment; but then his smile shone out carelessly gay and confident.  He looked down at the Maid, and there was tender friendliness in his glance.  He spoke nothing to her at the first as to what she had said; he merely asked of her a question.

“My Chevaliere, my guardian angel, tell me this, I pray.  You have done all these great things for me; what am I to do in return for you?”

She raised her eyes towards him, and the light sprang into them—­that beautiful, fearless light which shone there when she led her soldiers into battle.

“Go forward fearlessly, noble King.  Go forward in the power of your anointing; and fear nothing.  That is all I ask of you.  Do that, and you will give to me my heart’s desire.”

“We will talk of that later, Jeanne,” he answered, “I have many things to speak upon that matter yet.  But today I would ask you of something different.  You have done great things for me; it is not fitting that you should refuse to receive something at my hands.  This day I sit a King upon my father’s throne.  Ask of me some gift and grace for yourself—­I your King and your friend demand it of you!”

It was spoken in a right kingly and gracious fashion, and we all held our breath to listen for the answer the Maid should give.  We had known her so long and so well, and we had learned how little she desired for herself, how hard it was to induce her to express any wish for her own gratification.  She was gentle and gracious in her acceptance of the gifts received from friends who had furnished her from the beginning with such things as were needful for her altered life; but she had ever retained her simplicity of thought and habit; and though often living in the midst of luxury and extravagance, she was never touched by those vices herself.  And now she was bidden to ask a boon; and she must needs do it, or the displeasure of the King would light upon her.

He had raised her to her feet by this time, and she stood before him, a slim boy-like figure in her white point-device dress, her cheeks a little flushed, her slender fingers tightly entwined, the breath coming and going through her parted lips.