eight in the evening
She dropped a word or two of grief over the precious time that must be lost , then began at once to issue commands for the march back . She sorrowed to see her army go ; for she said its heart was great and its enthusiasm high , and that with it at her back she did not fear to face all the might of England . All arrangements having been completed for the return of the main body of the army , she took the Bastard and La Hire and a thousand men and went down to Orleans , where all the town was in a fever of impatience to have sight of her face . It was eight in the evening when she and the troops rode in at the Burgundy gate , with the Paladin preceding her with her standard . She was riding a white horse , and she carried in her hand the sacred sword of Fierbois . You should have seen Orleans then . What a picture it was !