"And I for her," said Jeanne, tearfully. "I shall never leave you again, father. I shall be glad to get back." At this Durand interposed: "You won't be contented there, Jeanne. Just think how set you were to get away. And now you have done everything you wanted to do. And it was I that helped you to do it." "Yes, Uncle Durand; and the King wishes to see you to thank you for it." "The King?" exclaimed Lassois, almost dumbfounded by this news. "Why, Jeanne, you don't mean that he wants to see me?" "Yes, I do," said Jeanne, laughing. "He says that by helping me to go to Messire Robert you have done more for the country than any other man in France." Durand could scarcely contain himself at this, and beamed delightedly. Presently he said, wistfully: "Don't you ever get afraid in battle, Jeanne? I heard that you were wounded once. I should think that you would be so afraid that you'd run away as soon as the guns began to shoot and the arrows to fly." "I do not fear wounds or battle," she told him. "I fear only--treachery;" and a shadow crossed her face. It was a happy family party there at the little inn. There was wonder and admiration in the regard which the simple peasants bestowed upon the maiden, but there was love also, and the weary girl, longing for home and rest since her mission was so nearly completed, gave herself up to its blessed consolation. Far into the night she talked, and then she left them; for the morrow would bring the coronation, and there was much to be done. It was the tradition that coronations should take place on Sunday, so that there was little sleep in Reims that night. Everything had to be prepared; decorations for the cathedral and town, and provisions for the ceremonial. Many of the necessary articles were at Saint Denis, in the hands of the English, and the treasury of the cathedral had to be ransacked to find fitting vessels. All night the work of preparation went on. And all night long rejoicing crowds filled the streets and the great square before the cathedral, where the Dauphin kept vigil, as was the custom of the Sovereign the night before his coronation.