milar consistory on the 22nd of that month, at which it
was decided to shape into the form of a series of articles the chief
heads of accusation. This, when made out, was to be submitted to the
prisoner. On the 24th, the Bishop, accompanied by the Vice-Inquisitor
and some others, proceeded to the dungeon in which Joan of Arc was
kept. The day was Palm Sunday, and the great French historian Michelet
has, with his accustomed skill and bright, vivid word-painting, in his
short but incomparable _Life_ of the heroine not only of France but
of humanity, reminded his readers with what a longing Joan of Arc
must, on that festival of joy and triumph, have yearned for the
privilege 'to breathe once again the fresh air of heaven.' Daughter of
the fields, born on the border of the woods, she who had always lived
under the open sky had to pass Easter Day in a dark dungeon tower. To
her the great succour which the Church invokes upon that day did not
reach--her prison door did not fly open.

It may be recalled that on Palm Sunday the morning prayer in the
office of the Roman Church contains these words: '_Deus in adjutorium
meum intende._' For her, however, no earthly gate was to be thrown
open wide. The gate through which she was to pass from suffering and
death into life eternal and peace everlasting--(_per angusta ad
augusta_)--was, however, not far distant. But she had still to wait
awhile amid the ever-darkening shadows.

'If,' said Cauchon to Joan, 'you will cease to wear this man's dress,
and dress as you would do were you back in your home, you shall be
allowed to hear Mass.'

But Joan could not be prevailed on to consent to abandon the costume,
which, as we have said, proved her safeguard against the brutality of
her jailers.

By the 26th of March the articles were drawn up and ready, and were
approved of in a meeting held by Cauchon in his own house. And on
these articles, or rather heads of articles, the further trial of the
prisoner was to be carried on.

The examination took place on the days following in a chamber next to
the great hall in the castle. Nine judges, besides Cauchon, attended.
The Bishop ordered Joan to answer categorically all the accusations on
which she was arraigned; if she refused to do so, or remained silent
beyond a given time, he threatened her with excommunication. He went
on to declare that all her judges were men of high position, well
versed in all matters appertaining to Church and State