“Why not?” he asked himself. “Those deep and quiet waters would soon close over and conceal the ring forever.”
A moment later the jewel flashed beneath the rays of the moon. A slight splash was borne along by the night air. Ever widening ripples broke the mirror-like surface of the pool. In the distance a snowy swan appeared sailing with stately calm over the ruffled waters.
Delighted to be rid of the hateful jewel, Turpin now made his way back to the tent. Charlemagne was awake and greeted him as in the days of old. The charm was broken.
The morning sun rose bright and clear. The Emperor, however, became restless. He proposed that they tarry in the spot another day and hunt in the forest. Turpin agreed, and soon the forest echoes were awakened by the clangor of the hunting horns.
A royal stag was started from covert. Closely the huntsmen and hounds followed it. At last, panting and exhausted, it was brought to bay in a remote glade,—the very place which Turpin had visited the night before.
Charlemagne had been foremost in the chase all the morning. Now he sat motionless in his saddle, gazing in spellbound admiration at the sunny stretch of water. He observed the reflection of the blue sky, and the swans gliding over its smooth surface.
“Ah! how beautiful!” he exclaimed. “I would fain linger here forever.”
Then he dismounted and threw himself down upon the smooth grass by the edge of the pool. There he remained in dreamy content all day long.
At last the shadows began to lengthen. The glow of the setting sun was reflected in the miniature lake. Charlemagne was so enchanted with the scene that he vowed to build a castle there. The vow was kept, and the structure that arose was the beginning of Charlemagne’s capital and favorite city, Aix-la-Chapelle.