This victory covered Maugis with more glory than ever. He was complimented by magnificent _fêtes_ and given great honors. The king himself would have him share his crown, but Maugis refused. He had but one thought and that was to go home to his own country; to be reunited with his family was his sole ambition. After a few days spent in _fêtes_ and rejoicing, Maugis embarked, and after a short and uneventful voyage in due time reached Dordogne, whereupon, being apprised of their arrival, Richard, Alard, and Guichard went forward to meet him. They were followed by all the nobility of the vicinity. The people formed themselves in a line along the road, and their progress was marked by cheers and acclamations, and with his name in every one’s mouth, Maugis finally arrived at the palace. His first thought was for his well-beloved wife. He was astonished not to see her among the others. He interrogated his brothers, and they only responded by silence. “What signifies this silence?” he demanded of them. “Have you yet another misfortune to announce to me? Has Providence again stricken me?” “You must have courage, my dear Maugis,” responded Alard. “Your noble wife is dead, and died with your name upon her lips. During your absence, and in the failure to receive news of you, everyone thought you dead. Yolande refused to be consoled. Certain noblemen dared to raise their eyes to her, and when they sought to convince her you were no more, she would not hear, and finally one of them took to her a piece of your armor, pretending it to be a relic of your decease. Yolande was deceived by this, and from that day commenced to despair. It was in vain that Charlemagne assured her of your safety, and even a courier was sent to Jerusalem to determine it. Everybody assured her that you were living, but she was death-stricken. She faded in our arms and passed away, dying in the sweet satisfaction that you had not ceased to love her.” This sorrowful news caused Maugis the most intense anguish. The strongman bowed his head and wept bitterly. He would not be consoled, and calling together his brothers and his sons, he told them he had formed a resolution that he should lose no time in carrying out. Said he: “I have been blessed with all the triumphs that a man could desire. I have acquired a universal renown. Nothing is wanting for me in honors or glory. Alas! what use is it all to me now, when I have not Yolande to participate in it with me? I was so anxious to be with my family again. I thought that I could spend the rest of my days among you, but she is no more. It is a loss I never can forget; therefore have I taken this resolution: I will quit the world, and retiring to some solitude I will await the day when I can rejoin her.” It happened that Renaud, the cousin of Maugis, had made a similar resolve previously, to the same effect, and was now in some solitary retreat, having bid adieu to his relatives.