"Keep Charles' letter; it will notify my men of Charles' pleasure. You may break the seal before them."
"I shall do it that way. Adieu, I shall take your place at the abbey, where I expect to have a dull time until your return. Adieu, and come back soon."
"One more question.... Who are the chiefs of the troops that are cantonned near the frontiers of Brittany?"
"Two friends of yours, Hermann and Gondulf. They asked me to remember them to you."
"Now, good-bye."
"Good-bye, Berthoald."
The chief of the Frankish troops, having resumed his march, followed by his troops and train, soon disappeared before the eyes of the fugitives. Amael returned to the tree under which his traveling companions were assembled. Hardly had he taken a few steps towards them when his mother opened her arms to him: "Come, my son; I have heard every word. Now, at least, your renunciation of a brilliant career, that might have dazzled you, is voluntary!"
"You were near me, mother, and yonder I saw the frontiers of Brittany. Could I be dazzled by any favors from Charles against my mother and my country?"
"Oh!" cried the matron tenderly pressing Amael to her breast. "This day makes me forget all that I have suffered!"
"And this, mother, is the first happy day that I have had in years—a day of unalloyed happiness."