“Yes,” replied Jeanne. “The Voices urge this chiefly.”
“Will you not tell us in the presence of the King the nature of this Counsel?”
Jeanne blushed and hesitated before replying. Then she said:
“I understand what it is that you wish to know, and I will gladly satisfy you.”
“Jeanne,” said Charles kindly, “it would be very good if you 248 could do what they ask in the presence of those here; but are you sure that you are willing to speak about it?”
“Yes, sire,” she answered simply. Then she turned to them, and spoke with visible emotion.
“When I am vexed to find myself disbelieved in the things I say from God, I retire by myself and pray to God, complaining and asking of Him why I am not listened to. And when I have finished my prayer I hear a Voice saying: ‘Daughter of God, on, on! I will help thee. On!’ And when I hear the Voice I have great joy. I would that I could always feel thus.”
The maiden’s face shone as she spoke, “lifting her eyes to Heaven, and she was in marvellous ecstasy,” so that the men who heard her were dazzled, and sat speechless looking on. Then all in a moment there came a change. Jeanne’s features worked, and she was overcome by emotion. She turned toward the King beseechingly, and cried brokenly:
“The time is so short. Oh, use it, use it, sire. I shall last such a little while: only a year and little more. Oh, sire, ’tis such a little time to work for France.”
Charles was deeply moved, as were also those with him.