blood to decide whether they should remain before the town until by
dint of promises[1444] or threats they obtained its submission, or
whether they should pass on, leaving it to itself, as they had done at
Auxerre.[1445]

[Footnote 1443: Perceval de Cagny, p. 157. Nevertheless see also
Morosini, vol. iii, p. 143, note.]

[Footnote 1444: "And always desiring and discussing the submission of
this city." Jean Chartier, vol. i, p. 91.]

[Footnote 1445: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 13. Evidence of Dunois. Jean
Chartier, _Chronique_, vol. i, p. 92. _Chronique de la Pucelle_, p.
315. Chartier and the _Chronique de la Pucelle_ put words into the
mouths of Regnault de Chartres and Robert le Macon which are very
improbable.]

The discussion had lasted long when the Maid arrived and prophesied:

"Fair Dauphin," said she, "command your men to attack the town of
Troyes and delay no further in councils too prolonged, for, in God's
name, before three days, I will cause you to enter the town, which
shall be yours by love or by force and courage. And false Burgundy
shall look right foolish."[1446]

[Footnote 1446: _Trial_, vol. iii, p. 13. Evidence of Dunois.
_Chronique de la Pucelle_, p. 317. _Journal du siege_, p. 110. Jean
Chartier, _Chronique_, vol. i, p. 94.]

Wherefore had they contrary to their custom summoned her to the
Council? It was merely a question of firing a few cannon balls and
pretending to scale the walls, in short, of making a false attack.
Such a feigned assault was due to the people of Troyes, who could not
decently surrender save to some display of force; and besides the
lower orders must be frightened, for they remained at heart
Burgundian. Probably my Lord of Treves[1447] or another judged that
the little Saint by appearing beneath the ramparts of Troyes would
strike a religious terror into the weavers of the city.

[Footnote 1447: Jean Chartier, vol. i, p. 95.]

They had only to leave her to go her own way. The Council over, she
mounted her horse, and lance in hand hurried to the moat, followed by
a crowd of knights, squires, and craftsmen.[1448] The point of attack
was to be the north west wall, between the Madeleine and the Comporte
Gates.[1449] Jeanne, who firmly believed that the town would be taken
by her, spent the night inciting her people to bring faggots and put
the artillery in position. "To the assault," she cried, and signed to
them to throw hurdles into the trenches.[1450]

[Footnote 1448: _Tr