A council was held, and nearly all who were at it advised returning southward. But among those faint hearts was one man who believed in Joan--the old chancellor--and he spoke boldly for her. "When the King undertook this journey, he did it not because of the great might of the men-at-arms, nor because of the great wealth he had, nor because the journey seemed possible to him, but because Joan told him to go forward and be crowned at Reims, such being the good pleasure of God." While he was yet speaking, Joan herself knocked at the door. She was let in, and the Archbishop told her the cause of the debate. She turned to the King. "Will you believe me?" she asked. "Speak," he replied, "and if you speak reasonably and profitably, we will gladly believe you." "Will you believe me?" she said again. "Yes," repeated Charles, "according to what you say." That cold answer might well have checked her, but she spoke on: "Gracious King of France, if you will remain before your city of Troyes, it shall be yours within three days by force or by love--doubt it not." "We would wait six, if we could be sure of having it," said the Archbishop. "Doubt not," she insisted, "you shall have it to-morrow." It was then evening, but she at once mounted her horse and began preparations for an assault. Her energy cheered the soldiers, who were weary of inaction. They dragged the cannons into position, and brought bundles of wood, doors, furniture, everything they could lay hands on, to fill up the fosse. They worked far into the night--leaders, pages, men-at-arms alike--Joan directing them "better than two of the best captains could have done." Through that night there was great excitement within Troyes. The people had heard of Orleans and Jargeau; they could see and hear Joan's preparations. At last they asked loudly why they, French by birth, should risk their city and their lives for England. A council was held, and the heads of the garrison and the city agreed to surrender. Early next morning, just as Joan was giving the signal for the assault, the city gates were opened. The next day, Sunday, the King entered the town in state, attended by Joan and his nobles. They left Troyes, and approached Châlons on the 15th, and at some distance from the town were met by a number of citizens who had come to offer their submission. At Châlons, Joan had the great joy of meeting friends from Domremy. She asked them many questions about her home, and they looked with wonder at the girl who lived familiarly with princes, and yet spoke and behaved as simply as ever she had done in the days of her obscurity. One of them inquired whether she feared nothing. "Nothing but treachery," was her foreboding answer. When the people of Reims heard that Châlons had submitted, and that Charles was within four leagues, they sent deputies to tender their obedience, and that same day, Saturday, July 16th, Charles entered the city.