o 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 mantle
of ermine or marten, a helmet set with precious stones, a sword or a
shield which had been given him by William himself. But now they were
rich and he was poor, so they mocked at him.

'My lords,' said William, 'you do ill to treat me so. I have loved you
all, and you bear the tokens of my love about you at this moment. If I
can give you no more gifts, it is because I have lost all I have in
the world at the Aliscans. My men are dead, and my nephews are
prisoners in the hands of the Saracens. It is the Lady Gibourc who
bade me come here, and it is she who asks for help through me. Have
pity on us, and help us.' But without a word, they rose up and went
into the Palace, and William knew what their love was worth.

The young men told Louis of the words that the Count had spoken, and
the King rose and leaned out of the window. 'Sir William,' said he,
'go to the inn, and let them bathe your horse. You seem in a sorry
plight, without a groom or esquire to help you.'

William heard and vowed vengeance. But if the King and the courtiers
had no hearts, in his need a friend came to him, Guimard, a citizen of
Laon,