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but, a few miles on the way, she repented and stole back as quietly as she had left; the time was not yet. A few months still of anxious waiting at Domremywaiting in perplexity; for, while she continually heard the voices repeating, Go to Chinon-deliver Orleans-crown the dauphin,' she saw no way of fulfilling the command; not one helping or encouraging word did she receive. At length, one February morning, she could wait no longer, she left home secretly, and went again to her uncle's at Vaucouleurs. The governor still laughed at her; but her earnest perseverance was making an impression in her favour. Many recalled to mind the old prophecy of deliverance to come through a maid from Lorraine; and two brave knights, who were present at her first interview with the governor, and who now heard of her in various quarters, were convinced of her sincerity good knights and true, they offered themselves to conduct her to Charles at Chinon. Jean de Metz and Bertrand de Poulangy, they were henceforth her devoted and respectful attendants.

'When will you start?' they asked.

'Better now than to-morrow; better to-morrow than later,' was her ready answer.

'You cannot ride to Chinon in that red gown.' 'I am to go in man's dress,' she replied.

The news that Jeanne was going to the king soon spread through the town. The baker, the butcher, and the other chief men of Vancouleurs subscribed to purchase for her a horse and the complete dress of a young man-at-arms. The uncivil governor, wearied with her importunity, presented her with a sword and a letter for the king. A letter of tender affection from her parents gave their sorrowful consent to her expedition, thus removing the last obstacle. The few days she was still kept waiting, while her dress was being prepared, were spent chiefly in the church; there she wept and prayed, and there she found courage and strength.

The morning for her departure did come at last

February 24th,-when, transformed into a young soldier, in presence of Robert de Baudricourt and a large assemblage of towns-folk, she started with her two knights, a king's messenger, and an archer. Prayers and blessings followed her; and hearts that had ceased to hope, dared to hope again, so fully did they share her conviction that she was sent of God.

A long and arduous journey lay before her. Chinon was distant from Vaucouleurs a hundred and fifty leagues, -four hundred and fifty miles,—the first half of which lay through the enemy's country. It was a winter season of no ordinary severity, and everywhere the route was infested by bands of robbers; yet the Maid, as henceforth she calls herself, feared no danger, shrank from no fatigue. When her knights thought it prudent to halt for rest by day or by night, under the shelter of the thick trees, or in a ruined hermitage, she fearlessly laid her down to rest,—her last act to commit herself and her followers to the care of God; her first at rising, to thank Him for His protection. No wonder she won the devoted and chivalric love of her companions. After dangers and difficulties unnumbered, from all of which she had been delivered, she reached Gien, the first town on their way subject to Charles. Here, then, she told of her mission, and everywhere on her onward march numbers believed in her. 'I come to raise the siege of Orleans, to crown the dauphin at Rheims,' were her words to all; and the words flew before her to the beleaguered city-forsaken of its king, abandoned to its fate, and lit there a ray of hope that was to grow brighter and stronger, till it should drive away the thick darkness that now brooded over it.

Arrived at the village of St. Catherine de Fierbois, a few miles from Chinon, she sent to the king a messenger with the letter Robert de Baudricourt had given her, and a message saying she had come across France to see him, and was bringing him good news from God.

Great disturbance was caused at first by this message;

great deliberations as to whether the king should receive her. The great ministers set their faces resolutely against her; but the people had been won by her modesty, her courage, her piety, her simplicity, and her cheerful endurance; and we suppose their voice penetrated to the council chamber, for Jeanne was permitted to come on to Chinon.

Three long days was she still kept waiting, while there were ceaseless discussions about her and her mission. Messengers were secretly despatched to her native village to learn all particulars of her life there, not without a hope, in many at court, that something to her disadvantage might turn up-hopes that were doomed to disappointment. A messenger arrived from Orleans entreating she might be sent to them, whom all else had failed. A deputation from the council called on her unexpectedly; she received them with equal dignity and modesty. When asked her special object, it was still the same oftrepeated words, 'I am sent of God to raise the siege of Orleans, and see the dauphin crowned at Rheims.' They went away impressed with her truth and earnestness, made a favourable report to the king, who sent her word that she should be admitted to an interview the next day. The account of that interview, and its results, we must defer to another time.

empty.'

K.

A CHEERFUL VIEW OF THINGS.
OW dismal you look!' said a bucket to its
companion, as they were going to the well.

"Ah!' replied the other, 'I was reflecting on the uselessness of our being filled; for let us go away ever so full, we always come back

Dear me! how strange to look at it in that way!' said the bucket. Now, I enjoy the thought that, however empty we come, we always go away full. Only look at it in that light, and you'll be as cheerful as I am.'

[graphic]

6 THE KNOCKING AT THE LIGHTHOUSE DOOR GREW LOUDER.'

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