But they listened to her in silent consternation and amaze.  Here was this inexperienced girl, blind with enthusiasm, drunk with success, her head completely turned by her reception last night, actually advising an assault upon the enemy before the arrival of the army of relief, which had been forced to return to Blois to cross the river, and which could not arrive for a few more days.  What madness would she next propose?  Well, at least La Hire and Dunois were there to curb her folly and impetuosity.  A chit of a girl like that to sit and tell them all to go forth to certain death at her command!  As though they would not want all their strength to aid the relieving army to enter when it should appear!  As though they were going to weaken themselves beforehand by any mad scheme of hers!

Thus the storm arose.  Even La Hire, Dunois, and the Treasurer himself, were against her.  As for the lesser officers, when they began to speak, they scarce knew how to contain themselves, and restrain their anger and scorn from showing itself too markedly towards one who held the King’s mandate of command.

And of late the Maid had always been listened to with such honour and respect!  How would she bear this contradiction and veiled contempt, she who had come to assume the command of the city and its armies at the King’s desire?

She sat very still and quiet at the table, as the storm hummed about her.  Her clear gaze travelled from face to face as one or another of the officers rose and spoke.  Sometimes a slight flush of red dyed her cheek for a moment; but never once did anger cloud her brow, or impatience or contempt mar the wonderful serenity of her beautiful eyes.  Only once did she speak during the whole of the debate, after her opening words had been delivered, and that was after a very fiery oration on the part of a youthful officer, whose words contained more veiled scorn of her and her mission than any other had dared to show.

Instead of looking at him either in anger or in reproach, the Maid’s own wonderful smile shone suddenly upon him as he concluded.  Then she spoke: 

“Captain de Gamache, you think yourself my foe now; but that will soon be changed, and I thank you beforehand for the brave, true service which you shall presently render me.  But meantime, beware of rashness; for victory shall not come to the city without the Maid.”

He gazed at her—­we all gazed at her—­in amaze, not knowing what her words portended.  But she gave no explanation.  She only rose to her feet and said: 

“Then, gentlemen, since the attack is not to be yet—­not till the arrival of the relieving force, let me make the tour of the battlements, and examine the defences of the city.  I would that you had faith to let me lead you forth today; but the time will come when I shall not have to plead with you—­you will follow gladly in my wake.  For the rest, it would perchance be a sorrow to my brave men, who have marched so far with me, not to partake in the victory which the Lord is about to send us; wherefore I will the more readily consent to delay, though, let me tell you, you are in the wrong to withstand the wishes of the Commander of the King’s armies, and the messenger of the King of Kings.”