fain have asked many
of these questions, something in her own absence of interest, her
own earnestness as to other matters, restrained us from putting
them.

It was of the city of Orleans she desired to know. What was the
condition of the garrison? What were the armies of England doing?
What was the disposition of the beleaguering force? Was any project
of relief on foot amongst the Dauphin's soldiers? Did they
understand how much depended upon the rescue of the devoted town?

Guy de Laval was able to answer these questions, for he had himself
ridden from Chinon to Orleans with messages to the Generals in the
beleaguered city. He reported that the blockade was not perfected;
that provisions could still find their way--though with risk, and
danger of loss--into the town, and that messengers with letters
could pass to and fro by exercising great caution, and by the grace
of Heaven. He told her of the great fortresses the English had
built, where they dwelt in safety, and menaced the town and
battered its walls with their engines of war.

The garrison and the city were yet holding bravely out, and the
Generals Dunois and La Hire were men of courage and capacity. But
when the Maid asked how it came about that the English--who could
not be so numerous as the French forces in the town--had been
suffered to make these great works unmolested, he could only reply
with a shake of the head, and with words of evil omen.

"It is the terror of the English which has fallen upon them. Since
the victory of Agincourt, none have ever been able to see English
soldiers drawn up in battle array without feeling their blood turn
to water, and their knees quake under them. I know not what the
power is; but at Rouvray it was shown forth again. A small force of
soldiers--but a convoy with provisions for the English lines--overcame
and chased to destruction a French army ten times its own strength.
It is as though the English had woven some spell about us. We cannot
face them--to our shame be it spoken! The glorious days of old are
past. If Heaven come not to our aid, the cause of France is lost!"

"Heaven has come to the aid of France," spoke the Maid, with that
calm certainty which never deserted her; "have no fear, gentle
knight. Let the Dauphin but send me to Orleans, and the English
will speedily be chased away."

"It will need a great army to achieve that, fair Maid," spoke Sir
Guy; "and alas, the King has but a small force at his d