He greeted me well, and was richly clad, and prosperous to behold.

But it gave me greater joy that he spoke of some secret enterprise which should shortly be put in hand, when the spring came.
"For I have good intelligence," he said, "that the Bastard of Orleans will ride privily to Louviers with men-at-arms.

Now Louviers, where La Hire lies in garrison, is but seven leagues from Rouen town, and what secret enterprise can he purpose there, save to break the cage and set free the bird ?" In this hope I tarried long, intending to ride with the spears of Barthelemy, and placing my trust on two knights so good and skilled in war as La Hire and the Bastard, the Maid's old companions in fight.
But the days waxed long, and it was March the thirteenth ere we rode north, and already the doctors had begun to entrap the Maid with their questions, whereof there could be but one end.
Without adventure very notable, riding much at night, through forests and byways, we came to Louviers, where they received us joyfully.

For it was very well known that the English were minded to besiege this town, that braved them so near their gates at Rouen, and that they only held back till they had slain the Maid.

While she lived they dared not stir against us, knowing well that their men feared to follow their flag.
Now, indeed, I was in good hope, but alas! there were long counsels of the captains, there was much harrying of Normandy, and some outlying bands of English were trapped, and prisoners were taken.