Then the Maid rose, and we with her, and followed her in its wake, and the French army, in perfect order, re-entered the city by the appointed gates, as had been ordered.
One hour later and the Maid sent D'Aulon up to the battlements to look what the English army was doing.

He returned to say that they were still drawn up in rank as before.
"Which way are their faces ?" she asked.
"Their faces are turned away from the city," was the reply.
The countenance of the Maid brightened with a great light.
"Then let them go, a part de Dieu!" she answered.

"My God, I thank Thee for this great grace!" And so, without further battle or bloodshed, the English army marched away from Orleans; and upon the next morning not a man of the foe was left; and the citizens pouring out from the town, destroyed, with acclamations of joy, those great bastilles, which had so long sheltered the foe and threatened the safety of the city.
It was a day ever to be remembered.

The bells pealed ceaselessly, the houses were decked with garlands, white banners or silken pennons floated everywhere, the townsfolk arrayed themselves in holiday garb, and poured out through the gates to wander at will over the plain, so lately held by the English.

Gladness and the wonder of a great relief was stamped upon every face, and constantly songs of triumph arose or thunders of applause, of which the burden always was--THE MAID OF ORLEANS! THE MAID OF ORLEANS! They would have kept her with them for ever, if it might so have been.