who took the Count home and offered him rich food. But because
of his vow to the Lady Gibourc, he would only eat coarse bread, and
drink water from the spring; and as soon as it was light he rose up
from his bed of fresh hay, and dressed himself. 'Where are you going?'
asked his host.

'To the Palace, to entreat the aid of the King, and woe be to him who
tries to stop me.'

'May God protect you, Sir,' answered Guimard. 'To-day the King crowns
Blanchefleur, your sister, who no doubt loves you well. And he gives
her the Vermandois for her dower, the richest land in all fair France,
but a land that is never at peace.'

'Well,' said William, 'I will be present at the ceremony. Indeed they
cannot do without me, for all France is under my care, and it is my
right to bear her standard in battle. And let them beware how they
move me to wrath, lest I depose the King of France and tear the crown
from his head.'

The Count placed a breastplate under his jerkin and hid his sword
under his cloak. The gates of the Palace opened before him and he
entered the vaulted hall. It was filled with the greatest nobles in
the land, and ladies with rich garments of silk and gold. Lords and
ladies both knew him, but not one gave him welcome--not even his
sister, the Queen. His fingers played with his sword, and he had much
ado not to use it. But while his wrath was yet kindling the heralds
announced that his father Aimeri had come.

The Lord of Narbonne stepped on to the grass with Ermengarde, his
noble Countess, his four sons, and many servants. King Louis and the
Queen hastened to meet them, and amid cries of joy they mounted the
steps into the hall. Aimeri sat beside the King of Saint-Denis, and
the Countess was seated next the Queen, while the Knights placed
themselves on the floor of the hall. And William sat also, but alone
and apart, nursing his anger.

At last he rose, and, advancing to the middle of the floor, he said
with a loud voice: 'Heaven protect my mother, my father, my brothers
and my friends; but may His curse alight on my sister and on the King,
who have no hearts, and have left me to be the butt of all the mockers
of the Court. By all the Saints! were not my father sitting next him,
this sword should ere now have cloven his skull.' The King listened,
pale with fright, and the Queen wished herself at Paris or at Senlis.
The rest whispered to each other, 'William is angry, something will
happen!'

When Ermengarde and