-morrow or next
day, the King is like to be, and the assault will be delivered on Paris,
come of it what will."

With this he bade us good speed, but, to guess from his countenance, was
in no high hopes. And, at supper, whereto we had the company of certain
of his men-at-arms, I could well perceive that they were not in the best
heart. For now we heard how the Maid, being sorrowful for the long
delays, had bidden the Duc d'Alencon ride forth with her from Compiegne
"to see Paris closer than yet she had seen it." The Duc d'Alencon, who
in late days has so strangely forgotten the loyalty of his youth, was
then fain to march with her, for they two were the closest friends that
might be. Therefore they had passed by way of Senlis, where they were
joined by some force of men-at-arms, and so, on the third day's march,
they came to St. Denis, where they were now lying. Here it is that the
kings of France have been buried for these eight hundred years, in the
great Abbey.

"Nom Dieu!" said one of those who spoke with us. "You might deem that
our King is nowise pressed to see the place where his forefathers lie.
For D'Alencon is riding, now and again, to Senlis, to rouse the King, and
make him march to St. Denis, with the army, that the assault may be
given. But if they were bidding him to his own funeral, instead of to a
gentle passage of arms, he could not make more excuses. There are
skirmishes under Paris walls, and at the gates, day by day, and the Maid
rides here and there, considering of the best place for the onslaught.
But the King tarries, and without him and the army they can venture on no
great valiance. Nevertheless, come he must, if they bring him bound in a
cart. Wherefore, if you want your part in what is toward, you do well to
make no long tarrying here."

I was of the same mind, and as the King was shortly to be looked for at
St. Denis, we rode thither early next morning, with what speed we might.
On our left, like a cloud, was the smoke of Paris, making me understand
what a great city it was, much greater than Orleans. Before us, far
away, were the tall towers of the chapel of St. Denis, to be our guide!
We heard, also, the noise of ordnance being fired, and therefore made the
greater haste, and we so rode that, about six hours after noon, on the
Eve of the Nativity of our Blessed Lady, we reached the gates of the
town. Here we found great press of folk, men coming and going, some
carrying the w