ope was
not at all what Cauchon wished to enter her mind; and when he found
that John de la Fontaine and two monks had visited the prisoner and
advised her to submit herself to Rome, he was furious, and threatened
them with condign punishment. They only escaped the Bishop's anger by
taking flight from Rouen. It was not too soon for Cauchon's object
that the trial was now conducted with closed doors. Joan of Arc's
courage, firmness, and simplicity, accompanied by her transparent
truth and pure fervent belief in her mission, impressed even her
judges--and much more so those who had attended the public days of her
trial as spectators. Now and again, after one of her straightforward
and brave answers, which would expose and lay bare the malicious
intention of the question, voices were heard to say in the great hall,
'Well spoken, Joan!' and an English knight was overheard to declare
that, for his part, he regretted that such a courageous maid had not
been born an Englishwoman. A reaction in favour of the heroine might
have set in, and, as we have already said, it was for fear of this
that Cauchon caused the trial in future to be held in private. It is
clear from the previous narrative that the prisoner had no one to
advise her, no one to support her. At the commencement of the trial
she asked to be allowed counsel, but Cauchon refused this most just
demand. Among the crowd of doctors and clergy it was impossible but
that, now and again, some feeling of interest, even of sympathy,
should gain a few of these men, who, in spite of their education and
surroundings, were human beings after all. But whenever such feeling
was shown, Cauchon, ever on the watch, sternly repressed its
manifestation. The name of Isambard de la Pierre should be remembered
for good; for he, although one of the creatures of the detestable
Inquisition, showed humanity to Cauchon's victim. During the
examinations it was the wont of Isambard to place himself as near as
possible to Joan of Arc, and by nudging her, or by some sign, he
attempted to help her and advise her in her answers to the questions
of the judges. Cauchon's evil eye, however, at length detected
Isambard's conduct, and he informed Warwick of it. Soon after,
Isambard was confronted by Warwick, and the latter, with many abusive
words, threatened to have him drowned in the Seine if he dared assist
Joan of Arc.

Though the Maid's treatment in the dungeon of the castle was not,
after the begin