Our men-at-arms, of course, had been detained in one of the courtyards, where their lodgings were provided.  Only Bertrand and I were suffered, by virtue of our knighthood, to accompany the Maid into the presence of royalty; and neither of us had ever seen the King, or knew what his outward man was like.

But she asked no questions of us as to that, nor how she was to comport herself when she reached the audience chamber.  Neither had she desired to change her travel-stained suit for any other, though, in truth, there was little to choose betwixt them now; only methinks most in her case would have provided some sort of gay raiment wherewith to appear before the King.  But the Maid thought nought of herself, but all of her mission, and she held that this was a matter which could be touched by no outward adorning or bravery of apparel.

None who passed through the galleries and corridors of the Castle of Chinon in these days would have guessed to what a desperate pass the young King’s affairs had come.  Music and laughter resounded there.  Courtiers fluttered about in gorgeous array, and fine ladies like painted butterflies bore them company.  Feasting and revelry swallowed up the days and nights.  No clang of arms disturbed the gaieties of the careless young monarch.

If despair and desperation were in his heart, he pushed them back with a strong hand.  He desired only to live in the present.  He would not look beyond.  So long as he could keep his Court about him, he would live after this fashion; and when the English had swept away the last barriers, and were at the very gates, then he would decide whether to surrender himself upon terms, or to fly to some foreign land.  But to face the foe in gallant fight was an alternative which had never been entertained by him, until such time as he had received the message from the Maid; and then it was rather with wonder and curiosity than any belief in her mission that he had consented to receive her.

A pair of great double doors was flung open before us.  We stood upon the threshold of a vast room, lighted by some fifty torches, and by the blaze of a gigantic fire which roared halfway up the vast chimney.  This great audience chamber seemed full of dazzling jewels and gorgeous raiment.  One could scarce see the faces and figures in the shifting throng for the wonder of this blaze of colour.

But there was no dais on which the King was seated in state, as I had expected.  No figure stood out conspicuous in the throng as that of royalty.  I gazed at one and another, as we stood in the doorway, our eyes still half dazzled by the glare of light and by the brilliance of the assembled company, but I could by no means distinguish the King from any of the rest.  Many men, by their gorgeous raiment, might well be the greatest one present; but how to tell?

All were quiet now.  They had fallen a little back, as though to gaze upon the newcomer.  Smiling faces were turned upon us.  Eager eyes were fastened upon the Maid’s face.  She stood there, with the glare of the torches shining over her, looking upon the scene with her calm, direct gaze, without tremor of fear or thought of shame.