We of her household rode immediately in her wake, ready to protect her, if need be, from the too great pressure of the crowd.

And so we crossed the hastily-repaired bridge, and entered by the Bride Gate--or St.

Catherine's gate, as it was equally called; for a figure of St.

Catherine stands carved in a niche above the porch, and I saw the Maid glance upwards at it as she passed through, a smile upon her lips.
Shall I ever forget the thunder of applause which fell upon our ears as we passed into the city through the bridge?
It was like the "sound of many waters"-- deafening in volume and intensity.

And was it wonder?
Had not something very like a miracle been wrought?
For had not rumours reached the city many times that day of the death of the Deliverer in the hour of victory?
None well knew what to believe till they saw her in their midst, and then the cry which rent the heavens was such as methinks is heard but once in a lifetime.
I know not who first spoke the words; but once spoken, they were caught up by ten thousand lips, and the blazing heavens echoed them back in great waves of rolling sound: "THE MAID OF ORLEANS! THE MAID OF ORLEANS! Welcome, honour, glory, praise to THE MAID OF ORLEANS!" The people were well-nigh mad with joy; they rushed upon her to kiss her hands, her knees, the folds of her banner, the neck or the flanks of her horse.