ather's neglect, he was disposed to lead an army to his
assistance. He replied, "A son can never be excused from helping his
father by any cause short of death." Charlemagne placed an army of a
thousand knights under the command of Ogier, and great numbers more
volunteered to march under so distinguished a leader. He flew to the
succor of his father, repelled the invaders, and drove them in
confusion to their vessels. Ogier then hastened to the capital, but as
he drew near the city he heard all the bells sounding a knell. He soon
learned the cause; it was the obsequies of Geoffroy, the King. Ogier
felt keenly the grief of not having been permitted to embrace his
father once more, and to learn his latest commands; but he found that
his father had declared him heir to his throne. He hastened to the
church where the body lay; he knelt and bathed the lifeless form with
his tears. At that moment a celestial light beamed all around, and a
voice of an angel said, "Ogier, leave thy crown to Guyon, thy brother,
and bear no other title than that of 'The Dane.' Thy destiny is
glorious, and other kingdoms are reserved for thee." Ogier obeyed the
divine behest. He saluted his stepmother respectfully, and embracing
his brother, told him that he was content with his lot in being
reckoned among the paladins of Charlemagne, and resigned all claims to
the crown of Denmark.

Ogier returned covered with glory to the court of Charlemagne, and the
Emperor, touched with this proof of his attachment, loaded him with
caresses, and treated him almost as an equal.

We pass in silence the adventures of Ogier for several ensuing years,
in which the fairy-gifts of his infancy showed their force in making
him successful in all enterprises, both of love and war. He married the
charming Belicene, and became the father of young Baldwin, a youth who
seemed to inherit in full measure the strength and courage of his
father and the beauty of his mother. When the lad was old enough to be
separated from his mother, Ogier took him to court and presented him to
Charlemagne, who embraced him and took him into his service. It seemed
to Duke Namo, and all the elder knights, as if they saw in him Ogier
himself, as he was when a youth; and this resemblance won for the lad
their kind regards. Even Charlot at first seemed to be fond of him,
though after a while the resemblance to Ogier which he noticed had the
effect to excite his hatred.

Baldwin was attentive to