"'Tis pity that the King is not the only person who governs the realm," spoke Sire Bertrand with disgusted weariness. "But no! the whole Royal Council must give consent ere he can admit you to an audience, Pucelle. There are certain of the counsellors who advise against seeing you, declaring that your mission is a hoax. Some say that you are a witch, and for Charles to receive a witch into his presence would endanger his person, and greatly discredit his majesty. There are still others who favor seeing you; and Yolande, Queen of Sicily and the king's mother-in-law, declares openly that since Sire Robert sent letters introducing you, which you carried through many leagues of hostile provinces, fording many rivers in manner most marvellous so that you might come to him, the King ought at least to hear you. By my faith, Yolande is the best adviser and the best soldier that the King has. So there the matter rests; but he ought to see you." "Which he will, messire. Have no doubt of that. He will hear and see me soon." "Yes; in time, Pucelle. But ere that time comes certain priests and clerks, experts in discerning good spirits from bad, are to examine you. They follow us, do they not, Jean?" De Metz nodded. "If I mistake not they come now," he said. "In God's name, why do they not set me about my work?" exclaimed Jeanne impatiently. Almost immediately steps were heard without the chamber, and the hostess of the inn entered, bowing low before several imposing ecclesiastics and their clerks. Jeanne rose, and courtesied; standing in reverent attitude during the entire interview. The visitors showed their astonishment plainly in finding that the renowned Maid of Vaucouleurs was such a mere girl. The senior bishop acted as spokesman for all. "Are you the maid concerning whom letters have come to the King from Vaucouleurs?" Jeanne bowed her head in assent. "And you in truth made that long perilous journey to speak with the King?" "Yes, messire." "You seem o'er young for such a fatiguing march. You are, I should judge, not over sixteen?" "Seventeen, messire." "Have you, as 'tis said, a message for the King?" "Yes, messire," returned the maiden briefly. "Tell it to us. We in turn will bear it to the King." Jeanne drew herself up at this, and stood regarding them calmly. "I cannot, messire," she said at length. "It is for the gentle Dauphin alone to hear. To him, and to none other, will I tell it." "Maiden," said the senior bishop earnestly, "the King hath many counsellors who are wise and learned men. It is their opinion that he ought not to see you until he learns the nature of your mission. If you in truth have aught that is good for him to hear, it were best to tell it us. That is, if you desire admission to his presence." "Is not the Dauphin master of his presence? Is it not his to say who shall, or who shall not be admitted to him?" demanded the maiden in such open eyed wonder that the prelate looked confused.