There is bold De Gamache, for example, who declares he would sooner fold up his banner and serve as a simple soldier in the ranks, than hold a command subservient to that of a low-born woman!" That name as applied to the Angelic Maid set our teeth on edge; yet was it wonderful that some should so regard her?
"Let them but see her--and they will change their tune!" spake Bertrand quickly.

"A low-born woman! Would they speak thus of the Blessed Virgin?
And yet according to the wisdom of the flesh it would be as true of one as of the other." The Treasurer spoke with grave thoughtfulness: "Truly do I think that any person honoured by the Lord with a direct mission from Himself becomes something different by virtue of that mission from what he or she was before.

Yet we may not confound this mission of the Maid here in Orleans with that one which came to the Blessed Mary." "Nor had I any thought," answered Bertrand, "of likening one to the other, save inasmuch as both have been maidens, born in lowly surroundings, yet chosen for purity of heart and life, and for childlike faith and obedience, for the honour of receiving a divine commission.

There the parallel stops; for there can be no comparison regarding the work appointed to each.

Yet even as this Maid shall fulfil her appointed task in obedience to the injunctions received, she is worthy to be called the handmaid of the Lord." "To that I have nought to say but yea," answered the Treasurer heartily, "and I pray our Lord and the Blessed Virgin to be with her and strengthen her, for I fear me she will have foes to contend with from within as well as from without the city; and as all men know, it is the distrust and contradiction of so-called friends which is harder to bear than the open enmity of the foe." It was difficult for us, vowed heart and soul to the cause of the Maid, and honoured by her friendship and confidence, to believe that any could be so blind as not to recognise in her a God-sent messenger, whom they would delight to follow and to honour.