Her destiny called, and she followed the summons. All earthly ties must be subservient to her great purpose. Suffering France must be relieved, and it was her mission to give the aid.
Her time had come.
Therefore her good-byes to her parents, brothers, and little sister were very tender. She dared not speak of her mission, and if her loved ones noticed the tenderness of farewells that so short an absence did not seem to warrant they knew not the reason for them. So Jeanne passed from her father’s house, and climbed into the cart.
Mengette, whose home was near by, was at the window as Lassois’ cart passed. Jeanne waved to her, crying:
“Good-by, Mengette. God bless thee.”
All through the village she saw faces of friends and neighbors at the windows, or on their doorsteps, and bade them farewell. But as she drew near the home of Hauviette, and Lassois stopped for her to call to her friend, Jeanne shook her head.
“I can not speak to her, uncle,” she said chokingly. “I dare not. My heart would fail me, for I love her too dearly to say good-by.”
At Greux as they passed through she saw Colin in one of the narrow streets. Jeanne leaned out of the cart to call to him.
“Good-by, Colin,” she said. “God give you good fortune.”