with a
smile and a bow, and gave her his hand to lead her forward.

"I will present you to the King," he said; and made in a certain
direction, as though he would lead her to a very kingly-looking
personage in white and crimson velvet, blazing with diamonds; but
ere he had taken many steps, the Maid drew her hand from his, and
turning herself in a different direction, went forward without the
least wavering, and knelt down before a young man in whose attire
there was nothing in any way gorgeous or notable.

"Gentle Dauphin," she said, in that clear voice of hers which
always made itself heard above other sounds, though at this moment
a great hush prevailed throughout the audience chamber, and
wondering eyes were fixed full upon the Maid, "God give you good
life, and victory over your enemies!"

Astonishment was in the young man's face; but he took the Maid by
the hand, and said:

"You mistake, fair damsel; it is not I that am the King. See, he is
there; let me take you to him."

But she would not be raised; she knelt still at his feet, and the
hand which he had given her she held to her lips.

"Gentle Dauphin, think not to deceive me. I know you, who you are.
You are he to whom I am sent, to win you the victory first, and
then to place the crown of France upon your head. It is you, and
none other, who shall rule in France!"

The young man's face had changed greatly now. A deep agitation
replaced the former smile of mockery and amusement. Several of the
courtiers were exchanging meaning glances; in the hush of the hall
every spoken word could be heard.

"Child, how dost thou know me?" asked the King, and his voice shook
with emotion.

Her answer was not strange to us, though it might have been so to
others.

"I am Jeanne the Maid," she replied, as if in so saying she was
saying enough to explain all; "I am sent to you by the King of
Heaven; and it is His Word that I have spoken. You shall be crowned
and consecrated at Rheims, and shall be lieutenant of the King of
Heaven, Who is King of France, but Who wills that you shall reign
over that fair realm!"

"Have you a message from Him to me?" asked the King, speaking like
a man in a dream.

"Ay, verily I have," answered the Maid, "a message which none but
you must hear; for it is to you alone that I may tell it."

Then the King took her by the hand, and raised her up, gazing at
her with a great wonder and curiosity; and he led her behind a
curtain into a