"No, Sire. They said at first that the Maid must be mistaken, as they knew of no such sword; but, after much labor and search, 'twas found just where the Maid said that it would be. It was very rusty when it was taken from the earth, but when the priests started to clean it the rust fell away of itself. So marvellous is the matter deemed that there is a great stir over it at Fierbois, and the priests have had this scabbard of crimson velvet made for the Maid to carry the sacred weapon in." "The matter is of a truth marvellous," commented Charles, laying the sword in Jeanne's eager, outstretched hands. "But good blade though it be, Pucelle, it will need sharpening before it can be used." Jeanne hung her head, blushing. "It shall never be used for the shedding of blood," she said reverently. "I love it already, fair Dauphin, but it shall not be used to kill. I could not shed blood." Charles smiled slightly at the shamefaced confession. Here was the maiden anxiously awaiting the gathering of men-at-arms that she might lead them into battle, yet declaring that she could not shed blood. "And your standard?" he said gently. "Did you not say that you had received divine direction regarding it also?" "Yes; but--" Jeanne paused reluctant to continue. She did not understand the reason for the design upon the standard, and was diffident about telling of it. After some urging, however, she told Charles the exact design that was to be emblazoned upon it, and was dictated to her by her saints--Margaret and Catherine, and the monarch had it painted accordingly. It was made of white linen, a precious fabric at this time, and over its field were scattered golden lilies. In the midst of it God was painted holding the world and sitting upon the clouds; on either side an angel knelt; the motto was Jesus Marie. The standard was symbolic of her mission: the lilies of France, the country she had come to save; God, who had sent her; and Jesus, the Son of Mary, her watchword. On the reverse side of the standard Charles had fashioned the chosen blazon of the Maid: a dove argent, upon a field azure. This was the great standard to be used for the rallying of all her host. She had also a banner and a pennon. On the banner was our Lord crucified between the Holy Virgin and Saint John. This was to be used for the gathering of the men for prayer and praise after they had confessed and made their consciences clean. On the pennon was wrought the Annunciation, the angel with a lily kneeling to the Blessed Virgin. It was to be used as a signal to those who fought around her as guards to her body. The standard Jeanne declared that she would carry herself, which was unusual for one who was to act as general. But such was the command of her heavenly guides. "Take the standard on the part of God, and carry it boldly," they had told her.