D'Aulon was no longer with her, and for the first time Jeanne was entirely without a friend of the old life with her. There was no word that her King or her friends were doing anything for her, but only talk of the English and how they wished to buy her. Both visitors and guards told her of the besieged city and that their sufferings were driving the citizens to desperation. There was joy and thanksgiving in the castle upon the coming of the heralds with dispatches that seemed to be always to the advantage of the Burgundians. It preyed upon the maiden's mind; she lost confidence and hope, becoming very despondent. "When Compiègne is taken all persons beyond the age of seven years are to be put to the sword," one of her visitors said one day. "I would rather die than live after the destruction of such good people," she said. "Also I would rather die than be in the hands of my enemies of England." She paced the floor in great agitation after the visitor left her. "How can God leave those good people of Compiègne, who have been and are so loyal to their King, to perish?" she cried. And the thought came to her that she must escape, that she must go to the rescue of Compiègne. There were blows to be struck there that only she could strike. She must go to Compiègne. Jeanne was but a young girl. She could not realize that her allotted time was over. It is hard for one to accept the fact one is not needed; that everything can go on as usual without one, and Jeanne was very young. All at once the desperate expedient came to her to leap from the tower. "Do not leap," admonished her Voices. "Be patient. God will help you, and also Compiègne." "Then since God will aid the good people of Compiègne I desire to be with them," said Jeanne. "You must bear these things gladly," St. Catherine told her. "Delivered you will not be until you have seen the King of England." "Verily," cried the Maid like the child she was, "I have no wish to see him, and would rather die than be in English hands." "Do not leap," came from St. Catherine again. "Be patient. All will be well." But Jeanne was wrought up to too great a pitch to heed. For the first time since her Saints had come to her she deliberately disobeyed their counsels. Going to the top of the tower she commended herself to God and Our Lady and leaped. Some time later she was found at the foot of the tower where she had fallen. She was insensible, and lay so long unconscious that the Luxembourg ladies feared that she was dead. After a time she regained consciousness, but for three days could neither eat nor drink. The wonder is that she escaped destruction, but no bones were broken, and she was not even seriously injured. "I have sinned," confessed the girl humbly to her Saints when next they visited her. "I have sinned." And of God she asked pardon for her impatience and disobedience. She was forgiven, and comforted.