[General] usage of Past Perfect

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to give me your considered opinion concerning the usage of the Past Perfect and Simple Past in the following sentences?

Joan of Arc could not write even her name. She signed with a cross the declaration prepared for her – that all her visions and voices had come from the devil.
Neither the French King nor one single man in all his Court raised a finger to save her.

V.

 

[5jj]

Would you be kind enough to give me your considered opinion concerning the usage of the Past Perfect and Simple Past in the following sentences?

Joan of Arc could not write even her name. She signed with a cross the declaration prepared for her – that all her visions and voices had come from the devil.
Neither the French King nor one single man in all his Court raised a finger to save her.

They are fine. 'prepared' can be read as an ellipsis - that had been prepared; '...that all her visions and voices had come from the devil' is a form of reported speech - the actual words in the declaration were something like, "all my visions and voices came/have come ...".

 

[vil]

Hi fivejedjon,

Thank you for your further information concerning the usage of tenses in the sentences above.

Everything comes to him who waits.

If you have more patience with me I hope we could to transform our ardent discussions in pleasant confabulations.

Thank you for your kindness.

V.