We travelled without misadventure, however, and I wondered what it was that brought the cloud to the brow of the Maid as we drew nearer and nearer to Vaucouleurs.
But I was to know ere long; for as we rode into the courtyard of the Castle the Maid slipped from her horse ere any could help her, and went straight into the room where the Governor was sitting, with her fearless air of mastery.
"My lord of Baudricourt, you do great ill to your master the Dauphin in thus keeping me from him in the time of his great need.
Today a battle has been fought hard by the city of Orleans, and the arms of the French have suffered disaster and disgrace.

If this go on, the hearts of the soldiers will be as water, the purpose of the Lord will be hindered, and you, Seigneur, will be the cause, in that you have not hearkened unto me, nor believed that I am sent of Him." "How know you the thing of which you speak, girl ?" asked De Baudricourt, startled at the firmness of her speech.
"My voices have told me," she answered; "voices that cannot lie.
The French have met with disaster.

The English have triumphed, and I still waste my time in idleness here! How long is this to continue, Robert de Baudricourt ?" A new note had come into her voice--the note of the general who commands.

We heard it often enough later; but this was the first time I had noted it.

How would De Baudricourt take it?
"Girl," he said, "I will send forth a courier at once to ride with all speed to the westward.