King, "and in remembrance of your services
I will to-day bestow on you a fief."

"Yes," cried Blanchefleur, "and no doubt will deprive me of one. A
nice agreement, truly! Woe to him who dares carry it out."

"Be silent, woman without shame!" said William. "Every word you speak
proclaims your baseness! You pass your days eating and drinking, and
little you care that we endure heat and cold, hunger and thirst, and
suffer wounds and death so that your life may be easy."

Then he bounded forwards, and, drawing his sword, would have cut off
her head had not Ermengarde wrenched the weapon from his hands. Before
he could seize it again the Queen darted away and took refuge in her
chamber, where she fell fainting on the floor.

PART VII.

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," answe