Charlemagne had no sooner made this decision when he was assailed with the most dire presentiments, and his depression was only increased when the following morning he saw the departure of his son and his suite, composed of one hundred brave knights, well armed and equipped. It seemed to the unhappy king as if he was gazing for the last time on the face of his well-beloved son, and the while regretted keenly that etiquette would not allow a monarch to go himself as ambassador and demand an account of a disloyal subject of his rebellion. News traveled very quickly even in those olden days, and it was not long before the Duke d’Aigremont was informed of the departure of the cavalcade at the head of which gayly rode the young prince, and thanks to the activity of his spies, the news came to D’Aigremont the moment of the reunion of his barons at his castle to celebrate the _fêtes_ of Pentecost and to participate in the tournaments and games which were customary at that epoch. Enraged at the fact of an embassy approaching him on such a mission, and desiring to hasten his expression of insubordination, he at once announced to his barons his intention of giving offense to the king, and addressed them in these words: “What now, sirs! the king not only makes the mistake of pretending to make me and my people serve him, but he sends his oldest son to me to make me menaces. What would you do under such circumstances were you in my place?” He had among his knights some men who were very true and sincere in their counsel and who did not hesitate to speak plainly. One Sir Simon was called upon and expressed himself thus: “Monseigneur, a man who resists his king, who, after his God, is his lord and master, makes an offense against heaven and justice. What do you propose to do? Sustain your disobedience by force of arms? We are all ready to shed our blood to the last drop, if may be, in the cause of justice, and our valor will never allow us to yield to numbers, but what will be our fate if we are defeated? How can you expect the clemency of the king if you refuse to receive his son? Have you no fear of the fate of a rebellious subject?” The Duke d’Aigremont would not allow him to finish. Sparks of fire shot from his eyes, their pupils dilated and he menaced his loyal servitor for having ventured to speak so freely. The duchess, on her part, fearful of the result, conjured the inflexible man to listen to the counsels of his true friends and to again seek to enter into the good graces of the king; when, however, the matter was submitted to the assemblage, there was a great division of opinion. This is why the advice of the good duchess was opposed by some and satisfied others.