would not leave any son to inherit his dukedom. Every
morning his wise counsellors asked him if he had made up his mind on
the subject of marriage, and every morning the young duke heard them
patiently; and as soon as they had spoken, he answered, "I am thinking
of marriage, my lords; but this is a matter which requires much
thought."

Then he called for his black hunting-steed and held up his gloved hand
for his white falcon to come and alight upon his wrist, and off he
galloped to the hunt, of which he was passionately fond, and which
absorbed all the time that was not occupied with the cares of his
government.

But after a while, his counsellors insisted on being answered more
fully.

"Most dear prince," urged they, "only fancy what a dreadful thing it
would be if you should be taken from your loving people, and leave no
one in your place. What fighting, and confusion, and anarchy there
would be over your grave! All this could never happen, if you had a
sweet wife, who would bring you, from God, a noble son, to grow up to
be your successor."

The morning on which they urged this so strongly, Duke Walter stood on
the steps of his palace, in his hunting-suit of green velvet, with his
beautiful falcon perched on his wrist, while a page in waiting stood by
holding his horse. Suddenly he faced about, and looked full at his
advisers.

"What you say is very wise," he answered. "To-day I am going to follow
your advice. This is my wedding-day."

Here all the counsellors stared at each other with round eyes.

"Only you must promise me one thing," continued the duke. "Whoever I
marry, be she duchess or beggar, old or young, ugly or handsome, not
one of you must find fault with her, but welcome her as my wife, and
your honored lady."

All the courtiers, recovering from their surprise, cried out, "We will;
we promise."

Thereupon, all the court who were standing about gave a loud cheer; and
the little page, who held the horse's bridle, tossed up his cap, and
turned two double somersaults on the pavement of the court-yard. Then
the duke leaped into his saddle, humming a song of how King Cophetua
wooed a beggar maid; tootle-te-tootle went the huntsmens' bugles;
clampety-clamp went the horses' hoofs on the stones, and out into the
green forest galloped the royal hunt.

Now, in the farther border of the wood was a little hut which the
hunting-train passed by daily. In this little cottage lived an old
basketmak