The Chancellor spoke up with a fine irony in his manner:
“Indeed? And will your Excellency be good enough to utter them?”
“Cowardice and treachery!”
The fists of all the generals came down this time, and again the King’s eye sparkled with pleasure. The Chancellor sprang to his feet and appealed to his Majesty:
“Sire, I claim your protection.”
But the King waved him to his seat again, saying:
“Peace. She had a right to be consulted before that thing was undertaken, since it concerned war as well as politics. It is but just that she be heard upon it now.”
The Chancellor sat down trembling with indignation, and remarked to Joan:
“Out of charity I will consider that you did not know who devised this measure which you condemn in so candid language.”
“Save your charity for another occasion, my lord,” said Joan, as calmly as before. “Whenever anything is done to injure the interests and degrade the honor of France, all but the dead know how to name the two conspirators-in-chief—”