the troops then assembled for a crusade, which had been proclaimed in England against the Bohemian heretics, and confided to the direction of cardinal Beaufort, bishop of Winchester; a treaty having been concluded for that purpose. Notwithstanding the efforts of the regent, the affair of Patay spread consternation throughout the English garrisons of the small towns of Beausse. Most of them set fire to the places confided to their charge, and took to flight, even before the arrival of the French forces. The constable was making preparations to pursue the enemy, when the king commanded him to return to his own territories; stating, at the same time, that he would rather never be crowned than receive the inauguration in his presence. The victorious army again returned to Orleans, where new warriors arrived from all directions. Charles VII. was also expected, but he did not repair to that city, on account of the rooted aversion he entertained towards the earl of Richemont. The monarch continued, therefore, to reside at Sully; and to that town Jeanne d'Arc and the principal captains of the army journeyed, the constable alone excepted, to make the king acquainted with the success that had crowned their martial operations. The noble Saintrailles there presented to his majesty the brave lord Talbot; upon which occasion he said to the king: "Sire, here is the most terrible and the most praiseworthy of your enemies. So glorious an arm as this was not framed to carry galling chains; permit me to restore him to liberty." Charles acceded to the request of Saintrailles, and the illustrious captive was immediately set free, without paying any ransom. La Pucelle was particularly anxious that the king should visit his brave and faithful Orleanese; and so urgent were her prayers, that she at length prevailed upon him to journey as far as Châteauneuf on the Loire. Jeanne was also desirous that Charles and the constable Richemont should meet on amicable terms; but, to her great disappointment, the king would not allow that nobleman to accompany him in his expedition to Rheims; wherefore Richemont, losing all hope of being re-established in the king's good graces, retired to his domain of Parthenai. It was about this period that the youthful heroine caused a letter to be written to the duke of Burgundy, entreating him to abandon the cause of the English, which communication was despatched by one of the heralds at arms attached to her service. Jeanne d'Arc returned to Orleans, where she passed the troops in review as they arrived at that city. She then directed them to march for Gien, the place appointed for the rendezvous of the army destined to undertake the journey to Rheims : but having just cause to fear the indecision of the king,* she returned to Sully, for the purpose of encouraging him to undertake that enterprise. All the generals appointed for the march having assembled round the monarch at Gien, deliberated whether it might not be expedient, before undertaking the journey, to ensure the surrender of Cône and La Charité; and Jeanne d'Arc with great difficulty induced Charles to consent, that the capture of those places should not be attempted until after his return. La Pucelle had entreated Charles VII. not to be apprehensive of a want of troops, assuring him that he would have sufficient forces for the undertaking, and that numbers would voluntarily flock to his standard. This anticipation was soon verified. As the army evidently increased in numbers, Jeanne did not suffer the general enthusiasm to cool * On arriving at St. Bénoit on the Loire, the king, perceiving that Jeanne d'Arc was fatigued, advised her to take some repose; but she answered, while tears flowed from her eyes, that he ought to doubt nothing, as then the kingdom would soon be his, and he would speedily be crowned. If we consider the bearing of this answer, and the constant indecision of Charles VII. in acting upon the counsel of La Pucelle, it will better enable us to comprehend what she herself said in reply to one of the interrogatories at the process of condemnation, — that she did not even know for a certainty whether either the king or his court believed in the truth of her mission. - by unnecessary delays. In the midst of the troops, she incessantly addressed the king and his followers in these terms: "Go boldly forward, and every thing will prosper. Do not fear, for you will meet with no one that can harm you, and you will scarcely find any resistance." Every thing being in readiness for the expedition, the day of departure was decided on. The city of Rheims, all the fortresses of Picardy, Champagne, the Isle of France, Gâtinois, Auxerrois, Burgundy, and the whole country between the Loire and the ocean, were occupied by the English. The king, nevertheless, decided on following the advice of La Pucelle. Jeanne d'Arc, accompanied as usual by her brothers, quitted Gien on the 29th of June, 1429, and directed her course for Auxerre. On the ensuing day she was followed by Charles VII., a part of his court, and all the leading commanders of the army. The forces amounted to about twelve thousand fighting men which arrived before Auxerre, at that time a very strong city, subject to the duke of Burgundy, having closed its gates against the legitimate sovereign. Jeanne d'Arc was of opinion that the place should be immediately attacked, guaranteeing, at the same time, the success of the enterprise. Owing to the peculiarly difficult situation in which the inhabitants of Auxerrois then found themselves, they had recourse to negotiations, and despatched deputies to supplicate that the king would grant them a neutrality, provided they undertook to supply the troops with provisions, of which they already stood in need. This treaty was concluded, with the proviso that the inhabitants of the city should submit to testify to Charles the same obedience as should be offered by the cities of Troyes, Chalons, and Rheims. La Pucelle and many of the leading noblemen were adverse to the terms of this agreement, because it displayed in the onset great weakness and timidity, while, on the other hand, a signal victory would have ensured success during the whole progress of the enterprise.* The king having remained three days at Auxerre, again set forward with the army, and marched to Saint Florentin, which opened its gates without * The inhabitants of Auxerre escaped the horrors of a siege, by sending two thousand golden crowns to the lord de la Trimouille : such were the measures pursued with the favourites of Charles VII., who valued not their master's reputation. Auxerre also furnished provisions for the army, and boats to cross the river; and as traitors are never deficient in finding excuses to palliate their infamy, La Trimouille hinted to the monarch, that as the city held out for the duke of Burgundy, it was necessary to adopt conciliatory measures to soften and gain over that prince to his interest; besides which, the siege would retard his coronation. |