"That is all; but--" The judge paused and regarded the slender maiden attentively. She was unlike a peasant maid, both in bearing and appearance. Winning and beautiful in the fresh bloom of young maidenhood, she had not the manner of a maiden who would plight her word, and then disregard it. "Proceed, advocate," he said suddenly. "Let her take the oath. Swear, my child, with both hands upon the Gospels, that you will answer true to the questions that will be asked you." And kneeling before him Jeanne laid her small hands upon the missal, and said simply: "I swear, messire." Then she answered concerning her name, her country, her parents, her godfathers and godmothers. "And now, my child, tell me about this promise of marriage to Colin de Greux," spoke the bishop. "Messire, I never promised to marry him," she answered earnestly. "I have plighted my faith to no man." "Have you witnesses to prove this?" "There are my friends and neighbors, messire. They will answer for this." The judge leaned forward quickly. "They have spoken against you, child. Didst not hear them say that they knew of your engagement to Colin?" "Yes, messire; but I would question them." "Say on," he said. "It is your right." So, one by one, they were recalled to the stand while Jeanne asked of each three questions: Had he seen her at any of the dances or merry-makings with Colin? Had he seen her at church, or any public place with Colin? Had he ever heard her, Jeanne, speak of being engaged to Colin? To these questions the witnesses were obliged to answer in the negative. "Messire, would I not, were I betrothed to this man, go abroad with him to church, to dances, or to other public places?" "It would seem so, my child; but, unless there were cause why should he take this action?" "I have ever, messire, found my greatest happiness in going to church, and in prayer. For this reason I have received a command from my Lord, the King of Heaven, to perform a certain task. In pursuance of that command I went to Sire Robert de Baudricourt of Vaucouleurs to deliver to him a message. Because of this journey my parents, who do not believe in my mission, thought that my senses were wandering, and conceived the idea that to cure my fancies a marriage would be a good thing. "Therefore, with their encouragement Colin came. Messire, the first time that he did so I told him that it was of no use, for marry him I would not. Neither him nor another. Did I not, Colin?" She turned to the youth so quickly, asking the question with such abruptness, gazing steadily at him the while, that Colin, taken unawares, nodded affirmation unthinkingly. The bishop spoke instantly: "Colin de Greux," said he with sternness, "this maiden speaks with the sound of truth. It is our opinion that she hath given no promise. Therefore, do you make oath again, and say whether it was from this maiden, or from her parents that you received her faith."