Maryland free press., 1866-08-30
THE BETRAYER.

1t was the seventeenth of July. in the
year of grace, 1929, that all Rheims
was in state of joyous excitement ON the
occasion of the coronation of Charles
VII. Lie was for lually conducted to the
cathedral by Joan, ne Maid of Orleaus.
through whom laf8o portion of his king
dom had been snatcheds from the discomft-
cd English. Standing before tho altar,
and linear the king, with the standard in
her hand she seemed absorbed by that en-
thusiasm which she had communicated to
all entire army, when suddenly. her eyes
became filled with tears; an earthly cmo-
tion came to dissipate celestial dreams; she
perceived at the church foor James Arc,
her father, anil: Durand Daxard, her un-
Gle .......... ...... .......
The two aged men were como from
Douremy, on foot, with a staff in their
hands, to witness Joan's glory.
All the happiness, ,,of her early years, all
the strong impressions OF an obscure and
peaceful childhood crowded on the he
roincs memory; her village affections re-
sumed a momentary sway in her warlike
heart. No sooner was the ceremony fin
l5ueu tiai Sue poslrdtcu ncfSclt " TIC
kings feet. -s.... .al,a.... ..
Gentle king, said she, since Gods will
is done, and you haue come to Rheims to
receive your crown, | have accomplished
that which the Lord commanded me to at
tempt, namely, to raise the seige of Orleans
and cause the king to be crowned. Now
let US return to my village with my father
This armour, this standard. belong not to
my sex. A divine impulse urged mo to
equip myself with them. but feel that it is
withdrawn, aut | am only woman-a
woman born to spin and to guard focks-a
woman who breads battles, and would al
low herself to be slain on the field without
defending herself Permit me to return
to Douremy" .a. .s
',.You, Joan, you leave us! cried. the
king. ....s. ,l!. a..s,...
Would you break off your well begun
work? 1t cannot, must not be. Our sold
iers would think that with you God was
abandoning them. ....sl se..
oh, no, no--stay to fight, to conquer
once more" t........... ....-...
If remain, it will oaly be to die?'
cried Joan.
Sire" said William de Flavy, a fe-
rocious and .rcdoubted captain, permit
me to say that the maiden is right. She
has been to us visible mark of Gods
protection; she inspired confidence in those
who had only courage; but now let your
knights and captains attack the English
without exposing the life of a child who
pines for her home and her parent" 1' ~,
Repeated murmurs interrupted VIM. do
Flavy. He had no sooner ended than the
Dukesof Alencon, La Tremville, and ten
other brave soldiers and noblemen spoke,
and claimed the right of retaining Joan III
their ranks. .25la.; % -.
Maiden" said the king, sit is impossi'
bic that you can leave US"
II will remain with you till death, sir,
she answered; but alas! my greatest enc
mics are not in the ranks of the English
Father, uncle" she said to her relation:
vino approached, "Joan must once NOR,
return to the battlefield. Pray for her.
The maiden's sad prcsentiments were but
too soon justified by the result. Her glory
was become insufferable even to those o
aher brothers in arms who had at first de-
sired to sec the heroine remain in com
mand. They felt envy at hearing he
named as the source of all the victories =
"rhoy had, ut the attack on the gate OF st
Honore, in Paris, allowed Joan to expose
herself imprudently to danger-danger
from which she had only escaped at the
price of her blood. She then marched to-
wards Compeigne, which was beseiged by
the English, and in which the most violent
of her enemies commanded William dc
Flavy, man universally detcsted for his
vices. ,,. fsisa ..a. III i.'e.a.
She devoutly partook of the sacrament
of the church Of st. jacques; and while she
was praying, gloomy vision damped her
courage; she turned pale, and supporting
herself against pillar, said to those near
her, GOOD friends, and dear children, ]
tell you that I shall assuredly be betrayed
and delivered over to DEATH Pray to God
for me; for shall be unable to save my
king and the noble kingdom Of France >
At this moment entered the church al
officer whom she had placed as sentinel OF
the ramparts.a He came to give motto,
that tho English were no longer on thei
guard, ianA that-the- moment was favorable
for a sally. All thed maien's sorrowfu