ing, 'I promise you he
shall have plenty to eat.'

'Willingly,' answered the King.

Far off in the kitchen Rainouart knew nothing of what was passing
between the King and the Count, and his soul chafed at the sound of
the horses' hoofs, and at the scraps of talk he heard let fall by the
Knights, who were seeing to the burnishing of their armour before they
started to fight the Unbelievers. 'To think,' he said to himself,
'that I, who am of right King of Spain, should be loitering here,
heaping logs on the fire and skimming the pot. But let King Louis look
to himself! Before a year is past I will snatch the crown from his
head.'

When the army had finished its preparations and was ready to march he
made up his mind what to do, and it was thus that he sought out
William in the great hall. 'Noble Count, let me come with you, I
implore you. I can help to look after the horses and cook the food,
and if at any time blows are needed I can strike as well as any man.'

'Good fellow,' answered William, who wished to try what stuff he was
made of, 'you dream idle dreams! How could you, who have passed your
days in the warmth of the kitchen, sleeping on the hearth when you
were not busy turning the spit--how could you bear all the fatigue
of war, the long fasts, and the longer watches? Before a month had
passed you would be dead by the roadside!'

[Illustration: ALIX KISSES RAINOUART]

'Put me to the proof,' said he, 'and if you will not have me I will go
alone to the Aliscans, and fight barefoot. My only weapon will be an
iron-bound staff, and I promise you it shall kill as many Saracens as
the best sword among you all.'

'Come then,' answered the Count.

The next morning the army set forth, and Alix and the Queen
Blanchefleur watched them go from the steps of the Palace. When Alix
saw Rainouart stepping proudly along with his heavy staff on his
shoulder her heart stirred, and she said to her mother, 'See, what a
goodly young man! In the whole army there is not one like him! Let me
bid him farewell, for nevermore shall I see his match.'

'Peace! my daughter,' answered the Queen, 'I hope indeed that he may
never more return to Laon.' But Alix took no heed of her mother's
words, but signed to Rainouart to draw near. Then Alix put her arms
round his neck, and said, 'Brother, you have been a long time at
Court, and now you are going to fight under my uncle's banner. If ever
I have given you pain, I ask your pardon.' After