The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-08-16
THE BETRAYER,

va occasion of the coronation of Charles
w, VII He was formally conducted to the
N,thedral by Joan, the Maid of Orleans,
..Shrnueh whom a large portion of his
,,l';nodom had been snatched from the
hhiisn7omtitted English. Standing before
u .he altar, and near the king, with the
.l.nn,nIard in her hand she seemed alb
ssnrhpd by that enthusiasm which she
1 1,ad communicated to an entire army.
, when suddenly her eyes became filled
,'.;fh tears an earthly emotion came to
Jissipate celestial dreams; she perceived
~ " he church door james of Are. her
s'fhpr. and Durand LaXard, her uncle,
me two aged men We're come from
nouremv. on foot, with staff in their
lands, to witness Joan's glory.
All the happiness of her early years,
-, lfhe strong Impressions of an Obscure
:" 'aaneaeefu childhood crowded on the
befoine's memory; hervillage affections
resumed Il momentary sway in her war
Ike heart. No sooner was the ceremony
anj.hed than she Frustrated herself at
the kings feet
aGentle king, said she, since Gods
will is done, and you have come to
Rheims to receive your crown, ! have
accomplished that which the Lord COM
handed me to attempt, namely, to raise
fine siege Of Orleans and cause the king
ia be crowned. Now let me return to
my village with my father. This armour,
This standard, belong not to my sex. A
divine impulse urged me to equip myself
With them, but | feel that it is with
drawn, and 1 am only woman-a
woman born to spin and to guard t1oeks
"a woman who breads battles, and
would allow herself to be slain on the
fed without defending herself Permit
me to return to Douremy."
You Joan, you leave us cried the
king.
"Would you break off your well-begun
work 1t cannot, must not be. Our
soldiers would think that with you God
was abandoning them.
Oh, no, no-stay to fight, to conquer
once more!'
sslf | remain, it will only be to dep
cried Joan.
"Sire,n said William de Flavy, a fe-
gocious and redoubted captain, permit
me to say that the maiden is right. She
has been to us a 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 Il
child who pines for her home and her
parent"
Repeated murmurs interrupted VIM.
de Flavy. He had no sooner ended than
the Duke of Alencon, La Tremville, and
ten other brave soldiers and noblenlen
spoke, and claimed the right OF retain
ing Joan in their ranks.
Maiden, said the king, cit is inn
possible that you can leave U.s."
~ will remain with you till death,
sir,' she answered; "but alas! my
greatest enemies are not in the ranks of
the English. s. Father, uncle" she said
to her relations who approached, Joan
must once more return to the battle
field. Pray for her!''
The maiden's sad presentiments were
but too soon justified by the result.
Her glory was becOnle insufferable even
to those of her brothers i'll arms who
had at first desired to sec the heroine re-
main in command. They felt envy at
hearing her named as the source OF all
the victories. They had, at the attack
on the gate of st. H0nOre, in Paris,
allowed Joan to expose herself impru-
IDENTIFY to danger-danger from which
She had only escaped at the price of her
blood. She then marched towards Com
peigde, which was besieged by the
English, and in which the most violent
OF her enemies cOmmanded-Willi
dc Flavy, Il man universally detested for
his vices.
She devoutly partook of the sacrament
OF the church ol st. jacques; and while
she Was praying, ii gloomy vision damp
ed her courage; she turned pale, and
supporting herself against IL pillar, said
to those near her, "Good friends, and
dear children, / tell you that shall as
surediy De betrayed, and delivered over
to death. Pray TO God for me; for |
snail be unable TO save my king and the
noble kingdom OF France"
AT this moment entered the church
an oflicerwhom she had placed as sentinel
on the ramparts. He came to give
notice that the English were no longer
Oh their guard, and that the moment
was favorable for a sally. All the maid.
en- sorrowiul thoughts were dissipateti
al this news, and she thought but OF
Victory-she felt only the enthusiasm OF
her divine mission.
William de Flavy, according to his
custom, Was feasting and making merry
at table with his female iavOrites. The
uOOr suddenly nnanpI and loan OF Arc