I did not need the whisper which ran through the ranks of our
escort to know that this man was the great and valiant La Hire.
As the Maid's charger paused at the foot of the steps, this man
strode forward with his hand upraised as in a salute, and giving
her his arm, he assisted her to alight, and for a few moments the
two stood looking into each other's eyes with mutual recognition,
taking, as it were, each the measure of the other.
The Maid was the first to speak, her eyes lighting with that deep
down, indescribable smile, which she kept for her friends alone.
When I saw that smile in her eyes, as they were upraised to La
Hire's face, all my fears vanished in a moment.
"You are the Dauphin's brave General La Hire, from Orleans," she
said; "I thank you, monsieur, for your courtesy in coming thus to
meet me. For so can we take counsel together how best the enemies
of our country may be overthrown."
"You are the Maid, sent of God and the King for the deliverance of
the realm," answered La Hire, as he lifted her hand to his lips, "I
bid you welcome in the name of Orleans, its soldiers, and its
citizens.
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