his gallant people.  Jeanne, however, nothing better being possible, seems to have accepted this mission with readiness, and instantly began her preparations to carry it out.  It is here that the young Seigneur Guy de Laval comes in with his description of her already quoted.  He was no humble squire but a great personage to whom the King was civil and pleased to show courtesy.  The young man writes to ses meres, that is, it seems, his mother and grandmother, to whom, in their distant chateau, anxiously awaiting news of the two youths gone to the wars, their faithful son makes his report of himself and his brother.  The King, he says, sent for the Maid, in order, Sir Guy believes, that he might see her.  And afterwards the young man went to Selles where she was just setting out on the campaign.

From Selles, he writes on the 8th June, exactly a month after the deliverance of Orleans: 

“I went to her lodging to see her, and she sent for wine and told me we should soon drink wine in Paris.  It was a miraculous thing (toute divine) to see her and hear her.  She left Selles on Monday at the hour of vespers for Romorantin, the Marshal de Boussac and a great many armed men with her.  I saw her mount her horse, all in white armour excepting the head, a little axe in her hand.  The great black charger was very restive at her door and would not let her mount.  ‘Lead him,’ she said, ‘to the cross which is in front of the church,’ and there she mounted, the horse standing still as if he had been bound.  Then turning towards the church which was close by she said in a womanly voice (assez voix de femme), ’You priests and people of the Church, make processions and prayers to God for us’; then turning to the road, ‘Forward,’ she said.  Her unfolded standard was carried by a page; she had her little axe in her hand, and by her side rode a brother who had joined her eight days before.  The Maid told me in her lodging that she had sent you, grandmother, a small gold ring, which was indeed a very small affair, and that she would fain have sent you something better, considering your recommendation.  To-day M. d’Alencon, the Bastard of Orleans, and Gaucourt were to leave Selles, following the Maid.  And men are arriving from all parts every day, all with good hope in God who I believe will help us.  But money there is none at the Court, so that for the present I have no hope of any help or assistance.  Therefore I desire you, Madame ma mere, who have my seal, spare not the land neither in sale nor mortgage . . . .  My much honoured ladies and mothers, I pray the blessed Son of God that you have a good life and long; and both of us recommend ourselves to our brother Louis.  And we send our greetings to the reader of this letter.  Written from Selles, Wednesday, 8th June, 1429.  This afternoon are arrived M. de Vendome, M. de Boussac, and others, and La Hire has joined the army, and we shall soon be at work (on besognera bientot)—­May God grant that it should be according to your desire.”