Master Eraut—"Suppose our assembly declares to the King our Sire that, with a safe conscience, he may entrust you with armed men to enable you to undertake the raising of the siege of Orleans, what means would you adopt to that end?"
Joan—"To the end of avoiding, if it is possible, any further shedding of blood, I shall first summon the English, in the name of God who sends me, to raise the siege of Orleans and return to their country; if they refuse obedience to my letter, I shall march against them at the head of the royal army, and with the help of heaven, I shall drive them out of Gaul!"
Bishop of Chartres (disdainfully)—"You would write to the English, and you have just told us you do, not know A from B?"
Joan—"I do not know how to write, but I could dictate, Seigneur Bishop."
Bishop of Chartres—"I take you at your word. Here are pens and a parchment. I shall be your secretary. Let us see! Dictate to me the letter to the English. Upon my faith, its style will be singular!"
A deep silence ensued. Triumphantly the Bishop took up a pen, feeling sure he had laid a dangerous trap for the poor peasant girl, incapable, as he thought, of dictating a letter equal to the occasion. Even the partisans of Joan, although greatly incensed at the manifest ill will of the Bishop towards her, feared to see her succumb at this new trial. The minds of all were on tenter-hooks.
Bishop of Chartres (ironically)—"Come, now, Joan, here I am ready to write under your dictation."
Joan—"Write, sir."
And the maid dictated the following letter with a mild but firm voice:
"IN THE NAME OF JESUS AND MARY.