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'Sir, said Aimeri, the man whom the Saracens most dreaded, 'who is it that I see standing there holding a piece of wood that five peasants could hardly lift? Does he mean to murder us? 'That youth, replied William, 'is a gift to me from King Louis. None living is as strong as he. Then Aimeri called Rainouart, and bade him sit at his side, and eat and drink as he would.
If ever I have given you pain, I ask your pardon. After that she kissed him, and bade him go. At Orleans William took leave of his father Count Aimeri and his mother Ermengarde, the noble Countess, who returned to their home at Narbonne, and also of his brothers, who promised to return to meet William under the walls of Orange, which they did faithfully.
"Delage, stand aside a bit to let her pass." Nanteuil crossed over. "'Terrible days, do you say, Aimeri? Our days are what we make them. They are terrible for evil-doers only." Romilly interrupted: "Delage, efface yourself a trifle; be careful not to hide her from the audience. Once more, Nanteuil." Nanteuil repeated: "'Terrible days, do you say, Aimeri? Our days are what we make them.
The rest, eager to avenge their comrades' death, prepared to overcome him with numbers, and in spite of his strength it might have gone ill with Rainouart had not Aimeri de Narbonne, hearing the noise, forbade more brawling. Count William was told of the unseemly scuffle, and asked the King who and what the young man was who could keep at bay so many of his fellows.
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.
Remember it is not near Orleans, in safety, that your lands lie, but in the very midst of the Saracens. Orange never will have peace till they are subdued. So send messengers to Paris, to your brother-in-law King Louis, and to your father Aimeri, asking for aid. Then march upon the Saracens, and rescue the captives that are in their hands before they are carried across the sea.
Lords and ladies both knew him, but not one gave him welcome not even his sister, the Queen. His fingers played with his sword, and he had much ado not to use it. But while his wrath was yet kindling the heralds announced that his father Aimeri had come. The Lord of Narbonne stepped on to the grass with Ermengarde, his noble Countess, his four sons, and many servants.
King Louis and the Queen hastened to meet them, and amid cries of joy they mounted the steps into the hall. Aimeri sat beside the King of Saint-Denis, and the Countess was seated next the Queen, while the Knights placed themselves on the floor of the hall. And William sat also, but alone and apart, nursing his anger.
By all the Saints! were not my father sitting next him, this sword should ere now have cloven his skull. The King listened, pale with fright, and the Queen wished herself at Paris or at Senlis. The rest whispered to each other, 'William is angry, something will happen! When Ermengarde and Aimeri saw their son standing before them great joy filled their souls.
It became necessary to start all over again. "'Terrible days, do you say, Aimeri...." And so they proceeded, without troubling to understand, but careful to regulate their movements, as if studying the figures of a dance. "In the interests of the play, we shall have to make some cuts," said Pradel to the dismayed author.
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