The Irish standard., 1904-02-27

praised her skill in household work,
and even in childhood her cheerful
vivacity had made her a general favor
lite. With Astounding physical energy,
but without unfeminine coarseness, she
was, indeed, a comely maiden. Peasant
she was, indeed, but as she journeyed
to see the prince, conscious that her
mission had at least begun, restful for
the first time because she knew she
was obeying the voices that urged her
on, few would have suspected her hum
bic origin.
But all was not so easily done. More
delays, more rebuffs were in store for
her. The dauphin, feeling little the
loss of throne he had never occupied,
was absorbed by the petty intrigues of
his imitation court. He had no desire
to battle for his or his peoples rights,
nor did he wish to be annoyed by a
Jealous young woman determined to
arouse him to a sense of duty. He re-
fused to see her.
But Joan was now no longer alone.
Everywhere she appeared her unaffect-
ed faith in her mission, her modest,
respectful conduct, won many to be-
lief in her and her mission. A simple,
primitive people knew OF and credited
the legend of Merlin, and saw, or
thought they saw, in this girl its full
fo;+
and subjects who had remained loyal
through many trials grumbled when a
reckless, indolent prince toyed with
his one opportunity to regain his
crown. Like the governor of her
province they argued that she should
at least be put to the test.
That was all Joan wanted and moth
ing less than that would she have. The
prince must see her, must listen to and
be guided by her for her voice never
spoke aught but the truth.
At last the dauphin consented to see
her, but incredulous, he fippantly TN
dertook jest unworthy a ruler who
pretended to the throne of France. He
, disguised himself as one of his cour-
tiers and put another into the place of
honor. To such a mockery of an
audience was the provincial shepherd
ess ushered with extravagant ceremony.
Ignorant OF courtly manners, nothing
daunted her. Her hour had come. I'm
abashed she entered, and to the con-
fusion of the testers addressed herself
not to the puppet prince, but to the
real dauphin, who stood inconspicu-
lousy aside. To him she explained her
mission. To him she said heavenly
voices babe her raise the siege of Or
leans and then conduct the prince to
his coronation at Rheims. No defeat
was possible for heaven had ordained
it so.
She was questioned and cross-ques-
toned, but was not confused. OBJ
stacles were pointed out to her, but
she would not listen to them, until
after many misgivings the dauphin
graciously condescended to allow this
maiden to battle for his crown. He
would not go himself. He would raise
an army for her. All he could or
would do was to give her his royal
sanction. That cost him nothing, and
even if she failed he was no worse off
than before.
For the dauphin's consent was all
she wanted. That granted, the simple
peasant maiden was a transformed be-
ing, Unskilled in the customs OF men
or the arts of war, she seems to have
been guided by an unerring instinct
that confirms her oft-repeated declar-
alton that heavenly voices spoke to
her.
An army rallied to her command,
nor did she appear before them in
guise uniting the enterprise upon
which she embarked. Clad in the
armor of the age she reviewed her
little band of 5000 soldiers, nor did
their enthusiasm appeal to her as
aught else than common devotion to
the cause of France.
''There is sword hidden near the
altar of St. Catherine de Fierbois," she
said. Bring it to me-"
The sword was found, and armed
with it she led her army to the relief
of the beleaguered city. Experienced
generals accompanied her, but she as
serted her command. They counseled
cautious prudence, but the army Itself
believed in her even as she did and
followed her every command. With
zeal almost fatalistic her soldiers
shrunk not from death itself and pant,
ed eagerly for the clash of battle.
If reckless in the confidence Of vic
tory, if sanguine even against heav,
odds, the shepherdess, now indeed the
Maid of Orleans, nevertheless showed
herself possessed Of plain, good sense
and shrewd judgment of men ant
affairs. She made no, costly blunders
nor did she in any moment of irresolu
ton allow her aids to overweight he
counsels or commands. Resolute ant
happy she was and so was her army.
Well supplied with provisions ant
heavily armed the little band seized ;
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