O, what a shout arose!  It was like the mighty burst of some great thunderstorm.  The Maid, blushing now at the tumult of applause, stretched out her arms, took the little one into them, and held her in a close embrace whilst she bowed her last graceful thanks to the joy-maddened crowd.  Then she slipped from her horse, and holding the little one fast by the hand, disappeared into the house, whilst the people reluctantly dispersed to hear the story all over again from the soldiers pouring in, each with some tale of his own to tell of the prowess of the maid of Orleans.

Yes, that was the name by which she was henceforth to be known.  The city was wild with joy and pride thus to christen her.  And she, having crossed by the bridge, as she had said, sat down for a brief while to that festal board which had been spread for her.  But fatigue soon over-mastering her, she retired to her room, only pausing to look at us all and say: 

“Tomorrow is the Lord’s own day of rest.  Remember that, my friends.  Let there be no fighting, no pursuit, no martial exercise, whatever the foe may threaten or do.  Tomorrow must be a day of thanksgiving and praise.  Look to it that my words are obeyed.”

They said she slept like a child that night; yet with the early light of day she was up, kneeling in the Cathedral with her household beside her, listening to the sound of chant and prayer, receiving the Holy Sacrament, the pledge of her Lord’s love.

Not until we had returned from that first duty did she listen to what was told her anent the movements of the English.  They were drawn up in battle array upon the north side of the river, spoke those who had gone to the battlements to look.  Thinned as were their ranks, they were still a formidable host, and from the menace of their attitude it might be that they expected the arrival of reinforcements.  Would it not be well, spoke La Hire, to go forth against them at once, whilst the soldiers’ hearts were flushed with victory, whilst the memory of yesterday’s triumphs was green within them?

But the Maid, hitherto all in favour of the most dashing and daring policy, answered now, with a shake of the head: 

“It is Sunday, my Generals,” she replied; “the day of my Lord.  The day He has hallowed to His service.”

She paused a moment, and added, quite gently, and without reproach, “Had you acted as I did counsel, the English would now have had no footing on the north side of the river; they must needs have fled altogether from the neighbourhood of the city.  Nevertheless, my Lord is merciful.  He helps, though men hinder His designs.  Let no man stir forth with carnal weapons against the foe this day.  We will use other means to vanquish them.”

Then turning to me, she bid me go to the Bishop, and ask him to give her audience; and shortly she was ushered into his presence, and we waited long for her to reappear.