Thus to the horrors of siege and famine was added the horrors of war. Great masses of rock, hurled into the château by the catapaults and besieging machines, crushed out the lives of many of its inhabitants. In the midst of these adversities Maugis was ever sustained by his noble wife, who always preserved her serenity and courage. Richard, who realized that each day rendered their power of resistance less possible, urged that they surrender. “No,” replied Maugis, “let us continue to resist. Something within me tells me that we yet shall be saved.” Charlemagne, now seeing the weakened condition of his enemy, resolved to end it all by a single blow. Taking some of his choicest troops, a determined assault was made upon the fortress, but once more he met defeat. The feeble garrison, gathering all the force that remained in them, repulsed the besiegers victoriously; and hurled them into the castle moat. Meantime the situation had become so desperate that Maugis, usually so resigned and patient, even commenced to despair; but he would not think of surrendering, death rather than that, and he made the resolve to retreat to the citadel of the fortress with his brothers and those belonging to him; then set it on fire and perish in the flames, first giving the inhabitants their liberty to surrender, or do otherwise, as it might seem best to them. “Loved one,” said Yolande, “what thou deemest best is best. I have followed thee in life. I will follow thee in death, for life without thee would be death; and here, embracing her two sons, her mother’s heart nearly succumbed; that they should perish was indeed a cruel blow, but choking back her tears she said, in firm tones: “Let it be so!” The three brothers of Maugis, and Renaud likewise, agreed that to perish was the only thing left for them. At this juncture an aged man was ushered to their presence. Said he: “Most noble lord! many years ago, ’tis said, there stood a fortress upon this mountain, even where Montaubon now stands, and methinks I have heard my father’s father tell how in the old days there did a subterranean passage exist which led from hither and opened into the forest of the Serpante yonder, beyond the lines of Charlemagne. Find this and we are saved.” “Knowest thou where the opening is?” demanded Maugis. “Alas!” responded the old man sadly, “I know not; it be only one of the forgotten memories of the tales of my youth, renewed in my mind by much suffering.” At these words the hopes that were raised in the hearts of all who heard were dashed to the earth. “Did such a passage exist, where could it be found?” It was more than probable that, choked by _débris_, it had been built over by the solid walls of the new château, and even if it had ever existed was now thoroughly hidden. “Use thine occult powers!” whispered Yolande.