"Will you not tell us in the presence of the King the nature of this Counsel?" Jeanne blushed and hesitated before replying. Then she said: "I understand what it is that you wish to know, and I will gladly satisfy you." "Jeanne," said Charles kindly, "it would be very good if you could do what they ask in the presence of those here; but are you sure that you are willing to speak about it?" "Yes, sire," she answered simply. Then she turned to them, and spoke with visible emotion. "When I am vexed to find myself disbelieved in the things I say from God, I retire by myself and pray to God, complaining and asking of Him why I am not listened to. And when I have finished my prayer I hear a Voice saying: 'Daughter of God, on, on! I will help thee. On!' And when I hear the Voice I have great joy. I would that I could always feel thus." The maiden's face shone as she spoke, "lifting her eyes to Heaven, and she was in marvellous ecstasy," so that the men who heard her were dazzled, and sat speechless looking on. Then all in a moment there came a change. Jeanne's features worked, and she was overcome by emotion. She turned toward the King beseechingly, and cried brokenly: "The time is so short. Oh, use it, use it, sire. I shall last such a little while: only a year and little more. Oh, sire, 'tis such a little time to work for France." Charles was deeply moved, as were also those with him. "Dear Maid," he said, "I will go whenever you--" Robert le Macon interposed softly: "When the roads are clear between here and Reims. Your Majesty. It would not be wise to risk your person on an uncertainty." "Let me clear the road, noble Dauphin," exclaimed the maiden quickly. "I beseech you, out of your grace to grant me leave to do it." "There still remain the strong places on the Loire which will have to be broken up," remarked the King dubiously. "They can be broken up. Then you can march." "Well, you have our permission to do it, Jeanne," said the monarch, half laughing. "Never was there such an indefatigable little soldier!" "When may I begin, sire?" Jeanne's delight was plainly evident. The delay was over; action might begin. No wonder she rejoiced. "As soon as you please," Charles told her graciously. Joyously the girl left the room, and began immediately the task of gathering the army together; the army that had been forced to disband through the inertia of its King. A tide of popular enthusiasm arose as soon as it became known that the English towns on the Loire were to be attacked, and from all quarters came men eager to fight, with or without pay; beginning again to hope for their country and aroused by the Maid's exploits before Orléans. Selles, a town of Berri, about fifteen miles from Loches and about fifty miles south of Orléans, was chosen for the recruiting camp.