lord of all
that land. Griselda looked kindly at the white towers. She thought
that their master was the best and greatest man in the world. She knew
that he was kind also, and courteous. When she saw him ride towards
her, her face lighted up, and she rose to courtesy to him. She hoped
he would draw up his horse beside her, and greet her, and ask for her
father Janicola.

This morning, as she looked at the castle, she saw a company of men
hurrying along the road that led to its gate. Farmers were there in
dull and homely clothes, and knights in armor that flashed back the
sunlight, and lords in gay colors that glanced and gleamed among the
olive-trees under the blue Italian sky.

Griselda knew why they were going to Lord Walter, and she wondered
what they would do and say when they reached him. She could not go
after them, for her sheep would have wandered away if she had left
them.

When the men that Griselda had watched reached the courtyard gate,
they met Lord Walter. He was on horseback ready for the hunt. The
foremost of the company prayed him to grant them a little time that
they might tell him why they had come.

Lord Walter threw the reins to a squire, and led his people into the
great hall of the castle. There he seated himself in state to listen
to their grievance whatever it might be.

Then the same man who had spoken before said to him:

"Noble Marquis, thy generous kindness in times past giveth us courage
to come before thee. Truly, sire, thou and all thou dost art so dear
to us that, save in one thing, we cannot wish for better fortune than
to live under thy government. One thing alone disturbs the peace of
thy faithful people. Though thou art young and strong, yet age creeps
on! Time flies and waits for no man. Death threatens young and old
alike. We pray thee, sire, that thou wilt wed, for if swift death
should lay thee low ere a son be born to thee, then alack for us and
for our children! In the power of a stranger then would lie our fair
lands and even our lives. Grant us this boon, noble Marquis, and, if
thou wilt, we will choose for thee a wife. Noble shall she be, and
good, so that thou shalt have honor and gladness in thy wedding."

Then the Marquis said:

"My people, loyal and true, ye ask of me that which I thought not to
grant, for the free life of the forest and the hunt pleaseth me well.
Yet will I do this thing that ye desire. Only to me myself must fall
the choice of her whom I w