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 456 THE TRIAL OP JEANNE DARC. " You tried several times," said the bishop, " to escape from the prison where you were detained, and it was to keep you more surely that you were ordered to be put in irons." " It is true," was her reply, " I wished to get away, and I wish it still. Is that not a thing allowed to every prisoner ? " She was then removed to her chamber, and the court broke up. The next morning at eight, in the robing-room of the chateau — a large apartment near the great drawing- room — the court again convened, forty-seven dignitaries of the Church being assembled. Again the captive was unchained and brought in. Again she sat in the presence of this convocation of trained men, alone, without advocate, counsel, or attorney. She understood the issue between herself and them. The managers of the trial meant to make France believe that this girl was an emissary of the devil, and thus she felt herself compelled to fail back upon her claim to be the chosen of God, and to insist upon this with painful repetition. We must bear in mind that she was absolutely severed from all active, efficient human sympathy. It was a contest between one poor, ignorant girl and the managers of the court, paid and backed by the power that governed all England and half France, with the stake as the certain consequence to her of an erroneous line of defence. In all the trial she was the only witness examined. Again the bishop required her to take the oath without conditions ; to which she replied, " I swore yesterday ; + <hat ought to suffice." " Every person," said the bishop, " though he were a prince, being required to swear in any matter relating to the faith, cannot refuse." " I took the oath yesterday," said she ; " that ought to be sufficient for you. You ask too much of me." The