But could it indeed be possible that such a miracle could be wrought, and by an instrument so humble as a village maid--this Jeanne d'Arc?
But the time had come when we must say adieu to our comrade, and turn ourselves back to Vaucouleurs, if we were not to be benighted in the forest ere we could reach that place.

We halted for our serving men to come up; and as we did so Bertrand said in a low voice to Sir Guy: "I pray you, Seigneur de Laval, speak no word to His Majesty of this maid and her mission, until such time as news may reach him of her from other sources." "I will say no word," answered the other, smiling, and so with many friendly words we parted, and Bertrand and I, with one servant behind us, turned our horses' heads back along the road by which we had come.
"Bertrand," I said, as the shadows lengthened, the soft dusk fell in the forest, and the witchery of the evening hour fell upon my heart, "I would that I could see this maiden of whom you speak, this Jeanne d'Arc of the village of Domremy." He turned and looked me full in the face; I saw his eyes glow and the colour deepen in his cheeks.
"You would not go to mock, friend Jean de Metz ?" he said, for so I am generally named amongst my friends.
"Nay," I answered truthfully, "there is no thought of mockery in my heart; yet I fain would see the Maid." He paused awhile in thought and then made answer: "At least we may ride together one day to Domremy; but whether or no we see the Maid will be according to the will of Heaven.".