PART V.

Thus William Short Nose set forth and the next day passed through
Orleans. There he met with his brother Ernaut, who had ridden home
from escorting King Louis back to Paris. Ernaut promised his help and
that of his father and brothers, but counselled William to go to Laon,
where a great feast would be held and many persons would be assembled.
The Count followed Ernaut's counsel, but refused the troop of Knights
which Ernaut offered him, liking rather to ride alone.

He made his entrance into Laon, and the people laughed at him and made
jests on his tall, thin horse; but William let them laugh, and rode on
until he reached the Palace. There he alighted under an olive tree,
and, fastening his horse to one of the branches, took off his helmet
and unbuckled his breastplate. The people stared as they passed by,
but nobody spoke to him.

Someone told the King that a strange man without even a squire was
sitting before the Palace under an olive tree. The King's face grew
dark as he heard their tale, for he loved to keep his gardens for his
own pleasure. "Sanson," he called to one of his guards, "go and find
out who this stranger is and whence he comes, but beware of bringing
him hither."

Sanson hastened to do his errand, and William answered, "My name is one
that is known to France. I am William Short Nose, and I come from
Orange. My body is worn out with much riding; I pray you hold my horse
until I have spoken to King Louis."

"Noble Count," replied Sanson, "let me first return to the King and
tell him who you are. And be not angry, I beseech you, for such are my
orders."

"Be quick, then, my friend," said William, "and do not neglect to tell
the King that I am in great distress. This is the time to show his
love for me; and if he truly does love me, let him come to meet me with
the great lords of his Court. If he does not come, I have no other
hope."

"I will tell him what you say," said Sanson, "and if it rests with me
you shall be content."

Then Sanson went back to the King. "It is William, the famous
William!" he said, "and he wishes you to go out to meet him."

"Never!" answered Louis; "will he always be a thorn in my side! Woe be
to him who rejoices at his coming."

So the King sat still, and on the steps of the Palace there gathered
Knights and Nobles in goodly numbers, and hardly one but wore a helmet
set with precious stones, a sword or a shield which had been given him
by Wi