Let us now enjoy the fruits of these wonderful victories; let us feast and rejoice and enjoy a period of repose.

Surely that is prudent counsel; for we must have care for our precious Maid, whom none can replace in our army, if she, by too arduous toil, should do herself an injury!" But the Maid looked at him with her grave eyes full of earnest pleading and searching questioning.
"Gentle Dauphin, I beseech you speak not thus, nor reason after such carnal fashion.

Think of what your Lord and my Lord has done for you! Think of what hath been accomplished by Him since first it was given to me to look upon your face.

Think what He hath decreed and what He hath already wrought for the furtherance of His purpose towards your Majesty and this realm! And shall His will be set aside?
Shall we, His children, hang back and thwart Him, just in the hour when He has put the victory in our hands?
Ah, sweet Dauphin, that would be shame, indeed! That would be pain and grief to Him.

Cast away all such unworthy thought! Press on to the goal, now in sight! When you stand, crowned and anointed, King of France, you shall know the power wherewith you have been upheld, and lifted from the very mire of humiliation and disgrace!" And at these words the Duc d'Alencon, who was by this an ardent believer in the Maid, and devotedly attached to her service, prostrated himself before the King, and cried: "Sire, this Maid speaks words of wisdom.