possessed a shield and arms, a stable, chargers, demi-chargers,
and hackneys, and because she had money with which to pay her
household, some ten to twelve thousand livres.[2338] But the point on
which they questioned her most closely was the sign which had already
been twice discussed in the public examinations. On this subject the
doctors displayed an insatiable curiosity. For the sign was the exact
reverse of the coronation at Reims; it was an anointing, not with
divine unction but with magic charm, the crowning of the King of
France by a witch. Maitre Jean de la Fontaine had this advantage over
Jeanne, he knew what she was going to say and what she wished to
conceal. "What is the sign that was given to your King?"

[Footnote 2338: _Ibid._, pp. 117, 119.]

"It is beautiful and honourable and very credible; it is the best and
the richest in the world...."

"Does it still last?"

"It is well to know that it lasts and will last for a thousand years.
My sign is in the King's treasury."

"Is it of gold or silver, or of precious stones, or is it a crown?"

"Nothing more will I tell unto you and no man can devise anything so
rich as is this sign. Nevertheless, the sign that you need is that God
should deliver me out of your hands and no surer sign can he send
you...."

"When the sign came to your King what reverence did you make to it?"

"I thanked Our Lord for having delivered me from the troubles caused
me by the clerks of our party, who were arguing against me. And I
knelt down several times. An angel from God and from none other gave
the sign to my King. And many times did I give thanks to Our Lord. The
clerks ceased to attack me when they had seen the said sign."[2339]

[Footnote 2339: On the contrary it was then that they began to argue
against her or that they began to argue most effectively. She seems to
forget that the interview at Chinon preceded the examination at
Poitiers. It is interesting to notice that Brother Pasquerel, who was
informed of these matters by her, makes the same error in his
evidence.]

"Did the churchmen of your party behold the sign?"

"When my King and such as were with him had seen the sign and also the
angel who gave it, I asked my King whether he were pleased, and he
replied that he was. Then I departed and went into a little chapel
near by. I have since heard that after my departure more than three
hundred persons saw the sign. For love of me and in order that I
should be