“My name is Floriac; this great and strong city, you will hear with surprise and grief, is governed by a brother of Duke Sevinus, and your uncle.  You have no doubt heard that a young brother of the Duke of Guienne was stolen away from the sea-shore, with his companions, by some corsairs.  I was then his page, and we were carried by those corsairs to Barbary, where we were sold for slaves.  The Barbary prince sent us as part of the tribute which he yearly paid to his sovereign, the Sultan Gaudisso.  Your uncle, who had been somewhat puffed up by the flattery of his attendants, thought to increase his importance with his new master by telling him his rank.  The Sultan, who, like a true Mussulman, detested all Christian princes, exerted himself from that moment to bring him over to the Saracen faith.  He succeeded but too well.  Your uncle, seduced by the arts of the Santons, and by the pleasures and indulgences which the Sultan allowed him, committed the horrid crime of apostasy; he renounced his baptism, and embraced Mahometanism.  Gaudisso then loaded him with honors, made him espouse one of his nieces, and sent him to reign over this city and adjoining country.  Your uncle preserved for me the same friendship which he had had when a boy; but all his caresses and efforts could not make me renounce my faith.  Perhaps he respected me in his heart for my resistance to his persuasions, perhaps he had hopes of inducing me in time to imitate him.  He made me accompany him to this city, of which he was master, he gave me his confidence, and permits me to keep in my service some Christians, whom I protect for the sake of their faith.”

“Ah!” exclaimed Huon, “take me to this guilty uncle.  A prince of the house of Guienne, must he not blush at the cowardly abandonment of the faith of his fathers?”

“Alas!” replied Floriac, “I fear he will neither be sensible of shame at your reproaches, nor of pleasure at the sight of a nephew so worthy of his lineage.  Brutified by sensuality, jealous of his power, which he often exercises with cruelty, he will more probably restrain you by force or put you to death.”

“Be it so,” said the brave and fervent Huon, “I could not die in a better cause; and I demand of you to conduct me to him to-morrow, after having told him of my arrival and my birth.”  Floriac still objected, but Huon would take no denial, and he promised obedience.

Next morning Floriac waited upon the Governor and told him of the arrival of his nephew, Huon of Bordeaux; and of the intention of the prince to present himself at his court that very day.  The Governor, surprised, did not immediately answer; though he at once made up his mind what to do.  He knew that Floriac loved Christians and the princes of his native land too well to aid in any treason to one of them; he therefore feigned great pleasure at hearing of the arrival of the eldest born of his family at his court.  He immediately sent Floriac to find him; he caused his palace to be put in festal array, his divan to be assembled, and after giving some secret orders, went himself to meet his nephew, whom he introduced under his proper name and title to all the great officers of his court.