Joan went before the ecclesiastical judge, made affirmation that she had given no promise, and without difficulty gained her cause.

Everybody believed and respected her.
[Illustration: Joan of Arc in her Father's Garden----91] In a village hard by Domremy she had an uncle whose wife was near her confinement; she got herself invited to go and nurse her aunt, and thereupon she opened her heart to her uncle, repeating to him a popular saying, which had spread indeed throughout the country: "Is it not said that a woman shall ruin France, and a young maid restore it ?" She pressed him to take her to Vaucouleurs to Sire Robert de Baudricourt, captain of the bailiwick, for she wished to go to the _dauphin_ and carry assistance to him.

Her uncle gave way, and on the 13th of May, 1428, he did take her to Vaucouleurs.

"I come on behalf of my Lord," said she to Sire de Baudricourt, "to bid you send word to the _dauphin_ to keep himself well in hand, and not give battle to his foes, for my Lord will presently give him succor." "Who is thy lord ?" asked Baudricourt.

"The King of Heaven," answered Joan.