ignity to descend through daughters as well as sons;
no one else was ever so honoured. Her brothers called themselves Du Lys,
from the lilies of their crest, but Joan kept her name and her old
banner. She was trailed after the Court from place to place; for three
weeks she stayed with a lady who describes her as very devout and
constantly in church. People said to Joan that it was easy for her to be
brave, as she knew she would not be slain, but she answered that she had
no more assurance of safety than any one of them. Thinking her already a
saint, people brought her things to touch.

'Touch them yourselves,' she said; 'your touch is as good as mine.'

She wore a little cheap ring, which her father and mother had given her,
inscribed JHESU MARIA, and she believed that with this ring she had
touched the body of St. Catherine. But she was humble, and thought
herself no saint, though surely there never was a better. She gave great
alms, saying that she was sent to help the poor and needy. Such was the
Maid in peace.

HOW THE MAID MET AN IMPOSTOR

There was a certain woman named Catherine de la Rochelle, who gave out
that she had visions. A beautiful lady, dressed in cloth of gold, came
to her by night, and told her who had hidden treasures. These she
offered to discover that there might be money for the wars, which Joan
needed sorely. A certain preacher, named Brother Richard, wished to make
use of this pretender, but Joan said that she must first herself see the
fair lady in cloth of gold. So she sat up with Catherine till midnight,
and then fell asleep, when the lady appeared, so Catherine said. Joan
slept next day, and watched all the following night. Of course the fair
lady never came. Joan bade Catherine go back to her family; she needed
money for the war, but not money got by false pretences. So she told the
king that the whole story was mere folly. This woman afterwards lied
against the Maid when she was a prisoner.

HOW THE MAID'S VOICES PROPHESIED OF HER TAKING

Winter melted into spring; the truce with Burgundy was prolonged, but
the Burgundians fought under English colours. The king did nothing, but
in Normandy La Hire rode in arms to the gates of Rouen. Paris became
doubtfully loyal to the English. The Maid could be idle no longer.
Without a word to the king she rode to Lagny, 'for there they had fought
bravely against the English.' These men were Scots, under Sir Hugh
Kennedy. In mid-April she was a