She said his statement was not true, and refused to marry him.  She was cited to appear before the ecclesiastical court at Toul to answer for her perversity; when she declined to have counsel, and elected to conduct her case herself, her parents and all her ill-wishers rejoiced, and looked upon her as already defeated.  And that was natural enough; for who would expect that an ignorant peasant-girl of sixteen would be otherwise than frightened and tongue-tied when standing for the first time in presence of the practised doctors of the law, and surrounded by the cold solemnities of a court?  Yet all these people were mistaken.  They flocked to Toul to see and enjoy this fright and embarrassment and defeat, and they had their trouble for their pains.  She was modest, tranquil, and quite at her ease.  She called no witnesses, saying she would content herself with examining the witnesses for the prosecution.  When they had testified, she rose and reviewed their testimony in a few words, pronounced it vague, confused, and of no force, then she placed the Paladin again on the stand and began to search him.  His previous testimony went rag by rag to ruin under her ingenious hands, until at last he stood bare, so to speak, he that had come so richly clothed in fraud and falsehood.  His counsel began an argument, but the court declined to hear it, and threw out the case, adding a few words of grave compliment for Joan, and referring to her as “this marvelous child.”

After this victory, with this high praise from so imposing a source added, the fickle village turned again, and gave Joan countenance, compliment, and peace.  Her mother took her back to her heart, and even her father relented and said he was proud of her.  But the time hung heavy on her hands, nevertheless, for the siege of Orleans was begun, the clouds lowered darker and darker over France, and still her Voices said wait, and gave her no direct commands.  The winter set in, and wore tediously along; but at last there was a change.

BOOK II IN COURT AND CAMP

 Chapter 1 Joan Says Good-By

The 5th of January, 1429, Joan came to me with her uncle Laxart, and said: 

“The time is come.  My Voices are not vague now, but clear, and they have told me what to do.  In two months I shall be with the Dauphin.”

Her spirits were high, and her bearing martial.  I caught the infection and felt a great impulse stirring in me that was like what one feels when he hears the roll of the drums and the tramp of marching men.

“I believe it,” I said.

“I also believe it,” said Laxart.  “If she had told me before, that she was commanded of God to rescue France, I should not have believed; I should have let her seek the governor by her own ways and held myself clear of meddling in the matter, not doubting she was mad.  But I have seen her stand before those nobles and might men unafraid, and say her say; and she had not been able to do that but by the help of God.  That I know.  Therefore with all humbleness I am at her command, to do with me as she will.”