“You promised me, sire, to ask Roland to take me into his service as a squire.” “It is Roland whom I reward by giving him such a treasure. What say you, nephew mine?” The only answer Roland gave was to clasp Mitaine in his arms. The little heroine, ruddy with joy, turned to her escort to thank them. They had disappeared! On seeing this, Charlemagne sank 011 his knees; his example was followed by all the rest, and Turpin recited the prayers for the dead. Thus ended the adventure undertaken by Mitaine. I wish I could tell you, my friends, that the Fortress of Fear was destroyed for good and all. I am compelled, as a veracious chronicler, to confess that it was rebuilt the same evening. You will some day or other, my young friends, most assuredly fall in with the Lord of Fear. Call to mind Mitaine whenever you do meet him, and remember that the monster can boast no weapons save those you surrender to him--no power save that which you give him--no courage save that which you lose. [Illustration: 241] END OF THE THIRD BOOK EPILOGUE -- RONCESVALLES -- A. D. 778. [Illustration: 245] YOU have, I hope, not forgotten, my dear readers, that Charlemagne had dispatched Ganelon to Aquitaine. For the shame and injury of France, the Count of Mayence had turned this trip to good account, by establishing a perfect understanding between himself and our old and little-respected friend, Wolf. They decided on the destruction of Charlemagne and his peers; but as for attacking them openly, they did not dream of that! “I will undertake,” said Ganelon, “to lead them into the mountains, if you will only place some twenty thousand Navarrese and Gascons on the heights that I will show you. Then we shall be able in perfect safety to crush beneath the rocks this haughty and hated brood.” About the same period Marsillus had called his warriors together, and was conversing with them, reposing in the shade on the white marble steps of his palace. “My friends, since this accursed Charles has set foot in Spain, we have never had a moment’s peace. Great as has been the bravery we have displayed, we have been everywhere worsted. We can do no more, for each has done his best. I suppose you are none of you less desirous than I to yield this beautiful Spain to these Northern barbarians. Aid me, therefore, by your counsels to avenge our disasters.” Blancandrin, the wisest and most crafty of the Pagans, was the first to speak.