I
am sick with shame for the arms of France!"
"Bravely spoken, my friend!" I cried, giving him my hand; "and if
that be the spirit of the army, I doubt not but that a few days
will see such a turn in the tide of warfare as shall make the whole
world stand aghast!"
"Then you believe in her?" quoth the old soldier, looking me
shrewdly up and down.
"With my whole heart!" I answered, as I turned and took my way back
to my quarters.
That same day the Maid held a council of war, at which all the
officers of any importance were permitted to attend; and here it
was that she received the first real check since she had received
the King's commission and royal command.
"Let us attack the foe at once, and without delay, messires!" she
said, sitting at the head of the council table, fully armed, save
for her headpiece, and speaking in her clear, sweet, full tones,
wherein power and confidence were blended; "the Lord of Hosts is on
our side. Let us go forth in His strength, and the victory will be
ours."
But they listened to her in silent consternation and amaze.
Pages:
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173