I am come to do the will of my Lord.

I ask only His approving smile." And all the while she was eagerly desirous to return to the King, and urge upon him the need to repair instantly to Rheims, and there receive his crown.

To her he was not truly King till he had been anointed as such.

She knew that the blow to the English arms just struck must have a paralysing effect upon their forces, and that a rapid march with even a small army would be accomplished without resistance, if only it were quickly made.
I need not say that the city of Rheims lay in the very heart of territory owning the English sway.

To reach that city we must perforce march right through a hostile country, garrisoned by the enemy.