"It was from her parents," confessed the youth sullenly. "And not from the maid at all?" "No, messire." "The girl hath then plighted no faith to you, and action against her is dismissed. You, young man, and her parents also would do well to let the marvellous child alone. The damsel is simple, good and pious. Nor do I find that her wits wander, for without advocate, or witnesses she hath established her case. Go in peace." Jeanne thanked him with tears, and with full heart returned to her abiding place. She had worsted Colin, and set at naught her parents' wishes by so doing. How would they receive her? Filled with this thought she trudged the thirty miles back to Neufchâteau. CHAPTER XIII FAREWELL TO HOME "_I am by birth a shepherd's daughter, My wit untrained in any kind of art. Heaven, and our Lady gracious, hath it pleased To shine on my contemptible estate: ... God's mother deigned to appear to me; And, in a vision full of majesty, Willed me to leave my base vocation, And free my country from calamity._" SHAKESPEARE, _First Part_, "_Henry Sixth._" To Jeanne's surprise she was welcomed warmly. Certain of the Domremy people who had been Colin's witnesses preceded her into Neufchâteau, and by the time she arrived all the village folk were cognizant of what had occurred. A reaction in her favor had set in; for, not only had she conducted her case without any aid whatsoever, but the bishop had commended her, and had spoken sharply to Colin, who now became the laughing stock of his neighbors. All the world loves a lover, but it has only contempt for the suitor who brings ridicule upon either himself or his beloved. Isabeau folded her daughter in her arms, holding her close to her heart and shuddering at the thought of the perilous journey the child had made rather than submit to an unwelcome marriage; while Jacques, moved out of his usual taciturnity, spoke to her with something of pride in his tones. For the first time it occurred to these good people that their daughter differed from other village maidens, and therefore required dissimilar treatment. More than once Jeanne found her parents regarding her with curious, puzzled looks, as though they wondered if she were in very truth their daughter. La Rousse openly rejoiced at the outcome of the affair, and wished the maiden to remain with her indefinitely. But to this neither Jeanne or her parents would consent. And, after a fortnight's stay, the family returned to Domremy.