ten at night
The Paladin , going about the town all the day in order to be followed and admired and overhear the people say in an awed voice , `` ` Ssh ! -- look , it is the Standard-Bearer of Joan of Arc ! '' had speech with all sorts and conditions of folk , and he learned from some boatmen that there was a stir of some kind going on in the bastilles on the other side of the river ; and in the evening , seeking further , he found a deserter from the fortress called the `` Augustins , '' who said that the English were going to send me over to strengthen the garrisons on our side during the darkness of the night , and were exulting greatly , for they meant to spring upon Dunois and the army when it was passing the bastilles and destroy it ; a thing quite easy to do , since the `` Witch '' would not be there , and without her presence the army would do like the French armies of these many years past -- drop their weapons and run when they saw an English face . It was ten at night when the Paladin brought this news and asked leave to speak to Joan , and I was up and on duty then . It was a bitter stroke to me to see what a chance I had lost . Joan made searching inquiries , and satisfied herself that the word was true , then she made this annoying remark : `` You have done well , and you have my thanks . It may be that you have prevented a disaster .