On the third day of her stay in the city she caused her great white banner to be carried forth before her, and riding a white horse, clad in her silver armour, and clasping her banneret in her hand she rode slowly out upon the broken fragment of the bridge opposite to the tower of Les Tourelles, and begged a parley from the English general in command.
It was not Lord Talbot who came forth and stood upon his own end of the bridge, gazing haughtily across the space which divided them; but it was a notable soldier, whom the French called Classidas, though I have been told that his real name was Sir William Glassdale.

To him the Maid addressed herself in her clear mellow voice, which could be heard across the flowing river: "Retournez de la part Dieu a l'Angleterre!" was the burden of her charge, imploring him to have mercy upon himself and his soldiers, as else many hundreds of them, and himself also, must perish miserably, and perchance even without the offices of the Church.
But she was answered by roars of mocking laughter from the soldiers of the fort, and worse still, by gross insults from Classidas himself, hurled across at her from a biting tongue, which carried like the note of a trumpet.
Silently she stood and gazed at him; mournfully she turned and rode back to the town.
"May God have mercy upon their souls!" she prayed; and for the rest of the day she was sorrowful and sad.
"If it could have been done without bloodshed!" she murmured again and yet again.
Ah, and then the day when the news came that the relieving army was in sight! Was she sad or pensive then?
No! She sprang to her feet; she set down the little Charlotte, who was playing in her arms; she seized her weapons, her page flew to bring her full armour.

Her horse was already in waiting; she swung upon his back.

She waved her hand and called to us to rally about her.
"The English are preparing to fight!" she cried (how did she know?
none had told her), "but follow me, and they will strike no blow." Already La Hire was at her side, seeking to dissuade her from leaving the shelter of the town.

She smiled at him, and rode through the gate, her white banner floating in the wind.
"See yonder; that is the point of danger.