She had just learnt on what bank of the river the town was situated, yet she must have thought she had good ground for complaint; for she approached the Lord Bastard and inquired sharply: "Are you the Bastard of Orleans ?" "I am he.

I rejoice at your coming." "Was it through your counsel that I came hither on this side of the river, and that I did not go straight to where Talbot and the English are ?" "It was I and those wiser than I who gave this counsel, believing we acted for the best and for the greatest safety." But Jeanne retorted: "In God's name! Messire's counsel is better and wiser than yours.

You thought to deceive me, but you deceive yourselves.

For I bring you surer aid than ever came yet to knight or city; it is the aid of the King of Heaven and comes from God himself, who not merely for my sake but at the prayer of Saint Louis and Saint Charlemagne has had pity upon the town of Orleans, and will not suffer the enemy to hold at once both the body and the city of the Duke."[927] [Footnote 926: _Trial_, vol.iii, pp.

5, 6.] [Footnote 927: _Trial_, vol.iii, pp.