At first they were all incredulous, but Charlemagne finally divined the truth; but beyond creating astonishment it made no impression upon him. He turned to Oger and De Naimes, and bade them go at once to Maugis and lay before him his proposition. The ambassadors at once proceeded to Dordogne, and in due time were presented to Maugis, who gave them a cordial reception. The Duke de Naimes laid before him the proposals of the emperor. “Charlemagne has not departed at all from his original conditions,” said Maugis in reply. “It is always the same. I would never deliver up my cousin Renaud. An Aymon is incapable of such cowardice. He asks for the Duke de Normandie—does he suppose I have lost all my bitterness? No, the oppression of the emperor has hardened my heart. I am unpitying now. The Duke Richard shall suffer execution, and you, sir knights,” he added sternly, “if you ever come before me again and insult me with such infamous propositions I will treat you as traitors and spies.” The three envoys upon hearing this firm response turned away without a word, provoked that the emperor would not recognize the noble character of this man. They remounted their horses and returned to the camp, where they repeated to him the words of Maugis, and swore to him that he was now thoroughly angered, but Charlemagne seemed to be blind to the qualities of such a brave man. “Take care, sire!” cried Oger, “Maugis has been brave and generous up to this day, but if he has lost his patience he will likely be severe to the other extreme. Richard de Normandie is now in his hands, who can guarantee he will be the only victim?” Charlemagne reflected at this in silence, and was about to order Oger and Roland to return to Maugis, when Pinabel once again intervened and prevented the utterance of this good thought. “It is difficult for me to see, sir knights,” said he, “why you all seem to be in such fear of Maugis. That he is a brave man is true, but why should the emperor retrace his steps? Do you not remember that Maugis has demanded peace several times? Well! do you think that he would dare to touch a hair of the Duke de Normandie? He knows too well it would be the departure for him of the last chance of either pardon or mercy.” This subtle advice, so harmonious to the prejudices of the emperor, had the effect intended by Pinabel and the coterie of cowardly courtiers who sympathized with him and who applauded the emperor when he uttered these words: “Enough! I do not know why I have been so weak as to bother with these rebels. I can clearly see that if I commence to cede anything I can continue to do so. Go,” said he, turning to the Duke de Naimes, “and signify my will to Maugis, and say to him that the end of this day ends every chance for him to secure any conditions of grace from me if he does not submit to my conditions.”