In any case God must be obeyed and charity shown: it was only at such a price that victory could be gained. A victory so spiritual, a conquest so angelic, she had come to win; but now it was snatched from her by the false wisdom of the leaders of her party. They were hindering her from fulfilling her mission,--perhaps from giving the promised sign,--and they were involving her with themselves in enterprises less certain of success and less noble in spirit. Hence her sorrow and her wrath. [Footnote 928: _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 273.] Even after the discomfiture of her arrival, in order that she might please God, she did not consider herself freed from the obligation of offering peace to her enemies.[929] And since she could not go straight to Talbot's camp she wanted to appear before the fort of Saint-Jean-le-Blanc.[930] [Footnote 929: Opinion of Martin Berruyer, in Lanery d'Arc, _Memoires et consultations_, ch. vii.] [Footnote 930: _Trial_, vol. iii, pp. 78, 214.] There was no one left behind the palisades. But if she had gone and found any of the enemy there she would first have offered them peace. Of this her subsequent behaviour within the city walls is positive proof. Her mission was not to contribute to the defence of Orleans plans of campaign or stratagems of war; her share in the work of deliverance was higher and nobler. To suffering men, weak, unhappy, and selfish, she brought the invincible forces of love and faith, the virtue of sacrifice. My Lord the Bastard who regarded Jeanne's mission as purely religious, and who would have been greatly astonished had any one told him that he ought to consult this peasant on military matters,[931] appeared as if he did not understand the reproaches she addressed to him. And he went away to see that operations were carried out according to the plans he had made. [Footnote 931: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 16.] Everything had been carefully concerted and prepared, but a slight obstacle occurred. The barges that the people of Orleans were to send for the victuals were not yet unmoored.[932] They were sailing vessels, and, as the wind was blowing from the east, they could not set out. No one knew how long they would be delayed, and time was precious. Jeanne said confidently to those who were growing anxious: "Wait a little, for in God's name everything shall enter the town."[933] [Footnote 932: _Ibid._, p. 78. _Journal du siege_, pp. 74, 75. _Chronique de la fete_, in _Trial_, vol. v, p. 290.] [Footnote 933: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 105. _Chronique du la Pucelle_, p. 284.]