Having much food for thought they questioned her no more that day, and Jeanne retired to the chapel to seek comfort from 191 her saints, who all this time continued to visit her daily, yet giving only the one constantly repeated command. The next day the Committee returned.
“You tell us,” said a professor of theology, “that God wishes to free the people of France from their distress. If He wishes to free them there is no need for the soldiers you ask for.”
“In God’s name,” exclaimed Jeanne with some irritation, “the men-at-arms will fight, and God will give the victory.”
There was a stir among the learned men at this answer. The professor who had asked the question smiled as though well pleased, while the King’s advocate murmured:
“No clerk of the court could have answered better.”
After the little flurry had subsided, one Seguin, a Carmelite friar of learning and repute, next took his turn. He was a native of Limoges, and spoke the dialect of his district.
“In what language, Pucelle, do these voices speak to you?”
Now this query seemed frivolous to Jeanne. She knew no language but French, so what other could the Voices use?
“In a better than yours,” she flashed, and there followed a general laugh, for the patois of Limoges was a common subject of ridicule.
“Do you believe in God?” continued the friar, nothing daunted by the mirth.