“I pardon you,” said he to the condemned. “Can you appreciate the sentiments that dictate my conduct to you? Resume your titles and your dignities, everything shall be forgotten and the past shall be effaced—this time do not forget your oaths of fidelity, or else you cannot hope for my forgiveness.” A thrill of admiration ran through all the spectators. Mute with surprise at first, there finally arose an explosion of joy from the hearts of those who, an instant previous, had been torn with fear and sorrow. Loud acclaims arose on every hand and the soldiers of the two armies embraced each other in a transport of joy. D’Aigremont and his brothers were stricken dumb with surprise. They could hardly comprehend the greatness of soul and generosity of the emperor and stood silent. They then solemnly promised never to do anything again contrary to the wishes of their master, and renewed their oaths of fidelity. The Duke de Naimes, the most devoted friend of the emperor, could not contain his satisfaction. “Sire,” exclaimed he, “you are the greatest king the world has ever known. This act of generosity, which does you honor, will be an imperishable monument to you. You have commended your friends and your people to God and you will never have cause to regret your action.” After some moments, when the enthusiasm had become calmed, Charlemagne caused all the arms and equipments of the three brothers, their knights and soldiers, to be returned to them, and when they had received them they cried to be led against the foes of the emperor and promised to use all efforts to aid him. The princes and their men that night encamped with the royal army. CHAPTER III. All being restored to order and the war between himself and subjects having been terminated, Charlemagne returned to Paris, after having made an appointment with the Duke d’Aigremont to meet him at the capital. The duke was pledged to come immediately with two hundred men, also to raise six thousand men additional, and the same were to report at Paris in good order as soon as possible to join the king’s army. Gerard and Nanteuil, the brothers of d’Aigremont, the emperor commanded, were to proceed with him as an escort, and were to march in advance with himself. Agreeable to this arrangement, some time afterward, when the Duke d’Aigremont had proceeded toward Paris, until he was nearly at Soissons, he perceived an army of about four thousand men advancing to meet him. He was much puzzled to account for this movement and deemed it prudent to stop.