“Sire! if thou wilt not render justice to this traitor Ganelon, then there be nothing left for us to do but to take up arms and secure justice for ourselves.” At these defiant words, spoken in a firm tone, a great hush fell on the courtiers there assembled. Griffon, who stood near the door, said in an undertone to a grizzled captain of the guard: “Oho! that’s a brave young cock—but watch and see his comb cut.” Charlemagne’s brow darkened and his eyes flashed; he half rose and thundered: “What!” cried he, “have you forgotten the obligations thou art under to me? If it were not for thy father I should order for thee the punishment you deserve. If I ever hear that another word from you on this subject has escaped your lips you will have good cause to regret the business.” Maugis then saw that he had gone too far and hastened to offer his excuses to the emperor, and Charlemagne finally, his anger passing, invited them to dinner. It was a trying moment and it was no ordinary man who could calmly face the anger of the great emperor. Griffon nudged his companion and whispered: “Seest thou that?” The young knight was turning away somewhat abashed when casually glancing at the ladies-in-waiting, a soft pair of blue eyes caught his own, and forgetting instantly the exciting incident in which he had just had a part, with a sudden thrill he recognized the lady of the tournament, whose ribbon knot he even then wore next his heart and whose face had never left him, either in his wakeful moments or in his dreams. Momentary as the glance was, he read in those beautiful orbs the deepest sympathy, and the happy light that sprang into his own eyes told the fair maiden more than even words could have done. Momentary as the eye interview was before the modest gaze of the beautiful girl fell before the ardent look of Maugis, there was one who had seen it and understood. It had caused the bitterest feelings of hatred and jealousy to surge in his black heart. That man was the treacherous Ganelon, who lurked in the rear of a group of courtiers while the exciting events just chronicled, that so nearly concerned himself, were occurring. He had in vain pressed his love upon the Princess Yolande, who had not long before arrived from her home in the south to act as lady-in-waiting on the empress. She had repulsed his unwelcome attentions in every way her gentle nature would allow, but the coarse and persistent villain would brook no rebuff. Meanwhile the court had adjourned to the banquet hall, where these unpleasant happenings were soon forgotten by all but a few of the most concerned. After the emperor had arisen from the table and had withdrawn at the conclusion of the banquet, Prince Berthelot, the nephew of Charlemagne, wishing to show some courtesy to the Aymon family, invited Maugis to a game of chess, a game much in vogue in those days.