He saw her when she was ready to begin her march and open the campaign, and this is what he said about it: 

“She was clothed all in white armor save her head, and in her hand she carried a little battle-ax; and when she was ready to mount her great black horse he reared and plunged and would not let her.  Then she said, ‘Lead him to the cross.’  This cross was in front of the church close by.  So they led him there.  Then she mounted, and he never budged, any more than if he had been tied.  Then she turned toward the door of the church and said, in her soft womanly voice, ’You, priests and people of the Church, make processions and pray to God for us!’ Then she spurred away, under her standard, with her little ax in her hand, crying ‘Forward—­march!’ One of her brothers, who came eight days ago, departed with her; and he also was clad all in white armor.”

I was there, and I saw it, too; saw it all, just as he pictures it.  And I see it yet—­the little battle-ax, the dainty plumed cap, the white armor—­all in the soft June afternoon; I see it just as if it were yesterday.  And I rode with the staff—­the personal staff—­the staff of Joan of Arc.

That young count was dying to go, too, but the King held him back for the present.  But Joan had made him a promise.  In his letter he said: 

“She told me that when the King starts for Rheims I shall go with him.  But God grant I may not have to wait till then, but may have a part in the battles!”

She made him that promise when she was taking leave of my lady the Duchess d’Alencon.  The duchess was exacting a promise, so it seemed a proper time for others to do the like.  The duchess was troubled for her husband, for she foresaw desperate fighting; and she held Joan to her breast, and stroked her hair lovingly, and said: 

“You must watch over him, dear, and take care of him, and send him back to me safe.  I require it of you; I will not let you go till you promise.”

Joan said: 

“I give you the promise with all my heart; and it is not just words, it is a promise; you shall have him back without a hurt.  Do you believe?  And are you satisfied with me now?”

The duchess could not speak, but she kissed Joan on the forehead; and so they parted.

We left on the 6th and stopped over at Romorantin; then on the 9th Joan entered Orleans in state, under triumphal arches, with the welcoming cannon thundering and seas of welcoming flags fluttering in the breeze.  The Grand Staff rode with her, clothed in shining splendors of costume and decorations:  the Duke d’Alencon; the Bastard of Orleans; the Sire de Boussac, Marshal of France; the Lord de Granville, Master of the Crossbowmen; the Sire de Culan, Admiral of France; Ambroise de Lor; Etienne de Vignoles, called La Hire; Gautier de Brusac, and other illustrious captains.