Regnault Chartres, Archbishop of Reims, was for retreating, and a number of Councillors were against assaulting the city. One after another they gave their opinions, some arguing that if they did not retreat it would be best to leave the hostile fortress in their rear and press on towards Reims. When it came the turn of Robert le Macon, the old Chancellor of Charles VI, he said that the march had been undertaken in reliance neither upon the number of their troops nor upon the richness of their treasury, but because the Maid advised them that such was the will of God. He suggested, therefore, that she be called to the Council. At this moment Jeanne, becoming impatient over the long debate, knocked at the door. She was at once admitted, and the Archbishop of Reims took it upon himself to explain: "Jeanne," said he, "the King and his Council are in great perplexity to know what they shall do." "Shall I be believed if I speak?" asked the maiden, who was learning from experience that even messages from Heaven may be set aside by the will of man. "I can not tell," replied the King, to whom she addressed herself; "though if you say things that are reasonable and profitable I shall certainly believe you." "Shall I be believed?" she asked again. "Yes," said the King, "according as you speak." "Noble Dauphin, order your people to assault the city of Troyes, and hold no more of these Councils; for in God's name, before three days I will bring you into Troyes, by favor or force, and false Burgundy shall be greatly amazed." "Jeanne," said the Chancellor, "we might well wait if you could do that in six days." "Doubt it not," spoke Jeanne, addressing the Dauphin only. "You shall be master of the place, not in six days but to-morrow." The Council broke up, and Jeanne began at once to make preparations for storming the place. The whole army was set to work during the night, nobles and men-at-arms alike, to collect any kind of material, faggots, palings, tables, even doors and windows--anything that could be used to shelter the men, mount the guns, and fill up the fosse. She worked hard all night, and the unusual commotion gave notice to the townsfolk that something out of the ordinary was being done, and they retired to the churches to pray. In the morning they saw that arrangements had been made to assault the place, and heard the Maid's voice order the attack to begin. At this great fear of her came upon them, and they had no heart to man battlement or tower. Whereupon the Bishop of the town and the citizens threw the gates open and made submission without firing a shot, sending a committee to Charles to treat for terms of peace. The King received the envoys graciously, and guaranteed all the rights of Troyes, promising that the garrison might depart with their arms and goods, providing the town were given up to him.