Part 7 (1/2)
None who pa.s.sed through the galleries and corridors of the Castle of Chinon in these days would have guessed to what a desperate pa.s.s the young King's affairs had come. Music and laughter resounded there. Courtiers fluttered about in gorgeous array, and fine ladies like painted b.u.t.terflies bore them company. Feasting and revelry swallowed up the days and nights. No clang of arms disturbed the gaieties of the careless young monarch.
If despair and desperation were in his heart, he pushed them back with a strong hand. He desired only to live in the present. He would not look beyond. So long as he could keep his Court about him, he would live after this fas.h.i.+on; and when the English had swept away the last barriers, and were at the very gates, then he would decide whether to surrender himself upon terms, or to fly to some foreign land. But to face the foe in gallant fight was an alternative which had never been entertained by him, until such time as he had received the message from the Maid; and then it was rather with wonder and curiosity than any belief in her mission that he had consented to receive her.
A pair of great double doors was flung open before us. We stood upon the threshold of a vast room, lighted by some fifty torches, and by the blaze of a gigantic fire which roared halfway up the vast chimney. This great audience chamber seemed full of dazzling jewels and gorgeous raiment. One could scarce see the faces and figures in the s.h.i.+fting throng for the wonder of this blaze of colour.
But there was no dais on which the King was seated in state, as I had expected. No figure stood out conspicuous in the throng as that of royalty. I gazed at one and another, as we stood in the doorway, our eyes still half dazzled by the glare of light and by the brilliance of the a.s.sembled company, but I could by no means distinguish the King from any of the rest. Many men, by their gorgeous raiment, might well be the greatest one present; but how to tell?
All were quiet now. They had fallen a little back, as though to gaze upon the newcomer. Smiling faces were turned upon us. Eager eyes were fastened upon the Maid's face. She stood there, with the glare of the torches s.h.i.+ning over her, looking upon the scene with her calm, direct gaze, without tremor of fear or thought of shame.
One of the great Seigneurs--I know not which--came forward with a smile and a bow, and gave her his hand to lead her forward.
”I will present you to the King,” he said; and made in a certain direction, as though he would lead her to a very kingly-looking personage in white and crimson velvet, blazing with diamonds; but ere he had taken many steps, the Maid drew her hand from his, and turning herself in a different direction, went forward without the least wavering, and knelt down before a young man in whose attire there was nothing in any way gorgeous or notable.
”Gentle Dauphin,” she said, in that clear voice of hers which always made itself heard above other sounds, though at this moment a great hush prevailed throughout the audience chamber, and wondering eyes were fixed full upon the Maid, ”G.o.d give you good life, and victory over your enemies!”
Astonishment was in the young man's face; but he took the Maid by the hand, and said:
”You mistake, fair damsel; it is not I that am the King. See, he is there; let me take you to him.”
But she would not be raised; she knelt still at his feet, and the hand which he had given her she held to her lips.
”Gentle Dauphin, think not to deceive me. I know you, who you are.
You are he to whom I am sent, to win you the victory first, and then to place the crown of France upon your head. It is you, and none other, who shall rule in France!”
The young man's face had changed greatly now. A deep agitation replaced the former smile of mockery and amus.e.m.e.nt. Several of the courtiers were exchanging meaning glances; in the hush of the hall every spoken word could be heard.
”Child, how dost thou know me?” asked the King, and his voice shook with emotion.
Her answer was not strange to us, though it might have been so to others.
”I am Jeanne the Maid,” she replied, as if in so saying she was saying enough to explain all; ”I am sent to you by the King of Heaven; and it is His Word that I have spoken. You shall be crowned and consecrated at Rheims, and shall be lieutenant of the King of Heaven, Who is King of France, but Who wills that you shall reign over that fair realm!”
”Have you a message from Him to me?” asked the King, speaking like a man in a dream.
”Ay, verily I have,” answered the Maid, ”a message which none but you must hear; for it is to you alone that I may tell it.”
Then the King took her by the hand, and raised her up, gazing at her with a great wonder and curiosity; and he led her behind a curtain into a deep recess of the window, where prying eyes could not see them, nor inquisitive ears overhear her words.
And so soon as they had disappeared there, a great hum and buzz of wonder ran throughout the hall, and we saw Sir Guy detach himself from a knot of gay courtiers, and come hastily towards us.
”Is it not wonderful!” he cried. ”And I had feared that she would be deceived, and that the mockers would have the laugh against her in the first moment. Though how they looked for her to have knowledge of the King's person I know not. Surely none can doubt but that she is taught by the Spirit of G.o.d.”
”It was done to prove her!”
”Ay, it was the thought of De la Tremouille, who has ridiculed her pretensions (the word is his) from first to last. But it was a thought welcomed by all, as a pa.s.sing merry jest. Thus was it that I was not permitted to come and lead you in. They did fear lest I should tell what was intended, and describe to the Maid the person or the dress of the King. And now none can doubt; and, in sooth, it may be a wondrous thing for His Majesty himself, and take from him for ever that hateful fear which I always do declare has helped to paralyse him, and hold him back from action.”
I lowered my voice to a whisper as I said:
”You mean the fear lest he was not the true son of the King?”