"At the end of a fortnight," repeated Jeanne in dismay. "In God's name, gentle King, the regent will have time to bring his new troops into the town before the two weeks are sped. All the Duke of Burgundy wants is to gain time for the English regent." "Do you mean to reflect upon the honor of our cousin Burgundy?" demanded Charles haughtily. "His intentions toward us are most kind, we assure you, Jeanne. It is our dearest wish to be at peace with him." "Make peace, Sire; but--" "But what, dear Maid?" "Make it at the point of the lance," she cried. "None other will be so lasting. A quick advance, Sire, and Paris is ours, and with it all France." "Would it not be best to take it without bloodshed?" he asked. "By your way much Christian blood must perforce be spilled. By this truce with our cousin the city will be ours peaceably. Is not that best?" "It may be," she agreed sorrowfully. There was no more to be said, so with heavy heart she went from the presence to report to the captains. Silently they heard her; for none of them believed that Philip of Burgundy would ever deliver Paris to the King. So "turning first the flanks, then the rear of his army towards Paris, dragging with him the despairing Maid, the King headed for the Loire." Beyond that river lay pleasure and amusement; time could be taken for ease and enjoyment, and the unworthy King desired them more than honor. In this he was encouraged by La Trémouille and his party. Reims, Soissons and other cities that had made submission were alarmed because the King was abandoning them to the mercy of Burgundy, and the men of Reims wrote to Jeanne telling her their fears. To which she made answer: "Dear good friends, good and loyal Frenchmen, the Maid sends you news of her.... Never will I abandon you while I live. True it is that the King has made a fifteen days' truce with the Duke of Burgundy, who is to give up to him the town of Paris peacefully on the fifteenth day. "Although the truce is made, I am not content, and am not certain that I will keep it. If I do it will be merely for the sake of the King's honor, and in case they do not deceive the blood royal, for I will keep the King's army together and in readiness, at the end of the fifteen days, if peace is not made." At Bray, where Charles expected to cross the Seine on his road to the Loire, he found a strong Anglo-Burgundian force in possession, so facing about he started toward Paris. Jeanne and the captains rejoiced openly, for they had no desire to cross the river, but wished only to keep near the capital until the truce was ended. The erratic marching and indecision of the royal Council and the King were ruining the spirit of the men-at-arms; but the country people who knew naught of the parleying with Burgundy were wild with delight at the coming of Charles, and crowded to gaze upon him as he passed by. Jeanne was touched by their demonstrations of delight.