Sometimes a slight flush of red dyed her cheek for a moment; but never once did anger cloud her brow, or impatience or contempt mar the wonderful serenity of her beautiful eyes.

Only once did she speak during the whole of the debate, after her opening words had been delivered, and that was after a very fiery oration on the part of a youthful officer, whose words contained more veiled scorn of her and her mission than any other had dared to show.
Instead of looking at him either in anger or in reproach, the Maid's own wonderful smile shone suddenly upon him as he concluded.
Then she spoke: "Captain de Gamache, you think yourself my foe now; but that will soon be changed, and I thank you beforehand for the brave, true service which you shall presently render me.

But meantime, beware of rashness; for victory shall not come to the city without the Maid." He gazed at her--we all gazed at her--in amaze, not knowing what her words portended.

But she gave no explanation.

She only rose to her feet and said: "Then, gentlemen, since the attack is not to be yet--not till the arrival of the relieving force, let me make the tour of the battlements, and examine the defences of the city.