2080-2112.] To my mind a continuous story is more likely than any controversy or discussion to make my subject live, and bring home its verities to my readers.

It is true that the documents relating to the Maid do not lend themselves very easily to this kind of treatment.

As I have just shown, they may nearly all be regarded as doubtful from several points of view, and objections to them arise at every moment.

Nevertheless, I think that by making a cautious and judicious use of these documents one may obtain material sufficient for a truthful history of considerable extent.

Besides, I have always indicated the sources of my facts, so that every one may judge for himself of the trustworthiness of my authorities.
In the course of my story I have related many incidents which, without having a direct relation to Jeanne, reveal the spirit, the morals, and the beliefs of her time.