“But she hath given him wherewith to reply!” broke out Bertrand, with indignation in his tones.  “She comes not in her own strength, but as the envoy of the King of Heaven.  Is that not enough?”

“Enough for us who have seen and heard her,” answered Sir Guy; “but will it prove enough for those who only hear of her from others, and who call her a witch, and say that she works by evil spells, and has been sent of the Devil for our deception and destruction and undoing?”

“Then let them send for one of the Generals from Orleans, and let him judge for himself!” cried Bertrand hotly; “you say the city is not so closely blockaded but that with care and caution men may get in or out?  Then let some one send and fetch one of these commanders; and if he be not convinced when he sees her, then he will be of very different stuff from all else who have doubted, but whose doubts have been dispelled.”

“In faith, that is no bad thought,” spoke De Boisi thoughtfully, “and I trow it might be possible of accomplishment.  I will certainly speak with the King of it.  He is young; he is not firm of purpose; his own heart has never before been set upon his kingdom.  One cannot expect a man’s nature to change in a day, even though his eyes may have been opened, and his misgivings set at rest.  If one of the Generals were won to her side, the troubles that beset us would be well-nigh overcome.”

A great clamour of sound from the larger audience chamber, from which we had retired to talk at ease, warned us now that the King and the Maid had appeared from their private conference.  His face was very grave, and there was more of earnestness and nobility in his expression than I had thought that countenance capable of expressing.  The Maid was pale, as though with deep emotion; but a glorious light shone in her eyes, and when the Court ladies and gallants crowded round her, asking her questions, and gazing upon her as though she were a being from another sphere, she seemed lifted up above them into another region, and though she answered them without fear, she put aside, in some wonderful way, all those questions which were intrusions into holy things, speaking so fearlessly and so simply that all were amazed at her.

She came to us at last, weary, yet glad at heart; and her first question was for her followers, and whether they had been lodged and fed.  We supped with her at her request, and in private, and her face was very calm and glad, though she spoke nothing of what had passed between her and the King.

Only when Bertrand said: 

“You have done a great work today,” did she look at him with a smile as she replied: 

“My work hath but just begun, and may yet be hindered; but have no fear.  The Lord has spoken, and He will bring it to pass.  He will not fail us till all be accomplished.”

CHAPTER VII.  HOW THE MAID WAS HINDERED; YET MADE PREPARATION.