It was her daughter Alix, the fair and the wise, who raised her up and
then heard with shame the tale she had to tell. "How could you speak
so to my uncle, the best man that ever wore a sword?" asked Alix. "It
was he who made you Queen of France."
"Yes, my daughter, you say truth," answered the Queen, "I have done
ill, I will make peace with my brother;" and she wept over her wicked
speech, while Alix, red and white as the roses in May, went down into
the hall, where the Franks were still whispering together, and calling
curses on the head of William.
They all rose as the maiden entered; Aimeri, her grandfather, took her
in his arms, and her four uncles kissed her cheek. Her presence seemed
to calm the anger and trouble which before had reigned throughout the
hall, and Ermengarde flung herself at William's feet and besought his
pardon for the Queen.
William raised his mother from her knees, but his anger was not
soothed. "I have no love for the King," he said, "and before night I
will break his pride," and he stood, his face red with wrath, leaning
on his naked sword.
Not a sound was heard, and the eyes of all were fixed breathlessly upon
William. Then in her turn Alix stepped forward and knelt at his feet.
"Punish me in my mother's place," said she, "and cut off my head if you
will, but let there be peace, I pray you, between you and my father and
mother."
At the voice of Alix William's wrath melted, but at first he would
promise nothing. "Fair son William," said Ermengarde again, "be
content. The King will do what you desire, and will aid you to the
uttermost."
[Illustration: The Lady Alix stays the wrath of William Shortnose]
"Yes, I will aid you," answered the King.
So peace was made, the Queen was fetched, and they all sat down to a
great feast. In this manner the pride of the King was broken.
But when one man is shifty and another is hasty, wrath is not apt to
slumber long, and treaties of peace are easier made than kept. When
the feast was over William pressed King Louis to prepare an army at
once; 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 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 we
shall have twenty thousand men to fight with any Saracens we shall
find."
"You speak weak words," cried Aimeri; "he is Seneschal of France, and
also her Standard Bearer; he has a right to our help." And Alix
approved of his saying, and the Queen likewise. The King saw that none
were on his side and 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.