, I promise
thee."

But Ranier whispered to himself, "I want me this braggart hewn to
pieces, and then the rest beaten;" and added, aloud: "Ax! ax! chop!
chop! and work for my profit!" Whereupon the ax leapt forward, and dealt
such a blow upon Sir Paul that it pierced through his helmet, and clave
him to the saddle. Then it went chopping among the enemy with such force
that it cut them down by hundreds; and King Dagobert with his army
falling upon them, won a great victory.

Now the magic of the ax followed it here as before, and every looker-on
believed he saw Sir Ranier slaying his hundreds. So it chanced when the
battle was over, and those were recalled who pursued the enemy, that a
group of knights, and the great lords of the court who were gathered
around the king, and were discussing the events of the day, agreed as
one man, that there never had been a warrior as potent as Sir Ranier
since the days of Roland, and that he deserved to be made a great lord.
And the king thought so, too. So he created him a baron on the field,
and ordered his patent of nobility to be made out on their return, and
gave him castles and land; and, furthermore, told him he would grant him
any favor more he chose to ask, though it were half the kingdom.

When Dyvorer and others heard this, they were more envious than ever,
and concerted together a plan for the ruin of Lord Treefell, for such
was Sir Ranier's new title. After many things had been proposed and
rejected, Dyvorer said: "The Princess Isaure loves this stripling, as I
have been told by my sister, the Lady Zanthe, who attends on her
highness. I think he has dared to raise his hopes to her. I will
persuade him to demand her hand as the favor the king has promised.
Ranier does not know our ancient law, and, while he will fail in his
suit, the king will be so offended at his presumption that he will
speedily dismiss him from the court."

This plan was greatly approved. Dyvorer sought out Ranier, to whom he
professed great friendship, with many regrets for all he might have said
or done in the past calculated to give annoyance. As Dyvorer was a great
dissembler, and Ranier was frank and unsuspicious, they became very
intimate. At length, one day when they were together, Dyvorer said:

"Have you ever solicited the king for the favor he promised?"

And Ranier answered, "No!"

"Then," said Dyvorer, "it is a pity that you do not love the Princess
Isaure."

"Why?" inquired Ranie