pressed King Louis to prepare an army at
once, so that no time might be lost in giving battle to the Infidels,
but the King would bind himself to nothing. 'We will speak of it
again,' said he; 'I will tell you to-morrow whether I will go or not.'

At this answer William grew red with rage, and holding out a wand he
said to the King, 'I give you back your fief. I will take nothing from
you, and henceforth will neither be your friend nor your vassal.'

'Keep your fief,' said Ernaut to his brother, 'and leave the King to
do as he will. I will help you and my brothers also, and between us
twenty thousand men shall march to the Aliscans, and deal death to any
Infidels we shall find there.'

'You speak weak words,' cried Aimeri; 'he is Seneschal of France, and
also her Standard Bearer; he has a right to our help, and if that
fails a right to vengeance.' And Alix approved of his saying, and the
Queen likewise.

The King saw that none was on his side and from fear of Aimeri and of
his sons he dared refuse no longer. 'Count William, for love of you I
will call together my army, and a hundred thousand men shall obey your
commands. But I myself will not go with you, for my kingdom needs me
badly.'

'Remain, Sire,' answered William, 'I myself will lead the host.' And
the King sent out his messengers, and soon a vast army was gathered
under the walls of Laon.

It was on one of these days when the Count stood in the great hall
that there entered from the kitchen a young man whom he had never seen
before. The youth, whose name was Rainouart, was tall; strong as a
wild boar, and swift as a deer. The scullions and grooms had played
off jests upon him during the night, but had since repented them
sorely, for he had caught the leaders up in his arms and broken their
heads against the walls. The rest, eager to avenge their comrades'
death, prepared to overcome him with numbers, and in spite of his
strength it might have gone ill with Rainouart had not Aimeri de
Narbonne, hearing the noise, forbade more brawling.

Count William was told of the unseemly scuffle, and asked the King who
and what the young man was who could keep at bay so many of his
fellows. 'I bought him once at sea,' said Louis, 'and paid a hundred
marks for him. They pretend that he is the son of a Saracen, but he
will never reveal the name of his father. Not knowing what to do with
him, I sent him to the kitchen.'

'Give him to me, King Louis,' said William, smil