number to plead with him. The eldest among them was the spokesman. "O
noble lord," he said, "in your pity and mercy spare us, your
servants, and do not punish us because we come to you with our
request. Long have we lived the servants of your house, and always
have found happiness in your service. Nowhere is greater felicity
than in this goodly land. One thing only irks us: you have no wife,
and may die without an heir and the land pass to a stranger. Then woe
to us! Time creeps on unnoticed, and before you are aware your youth
will have given place to age. For our sakes, great lord, take you a
wife. Let us choose you one; the noblest and fairest should be your
bride. Relent; grant us this request, that everywhere may be perfect
happiness beneath your sway."

Duke Walter was moved by their earnest speaking. "I will grant you
this," he said, "although I had thought to live unmarried and free
all my days. But you must fulfil my conditions. I will choose my own
bride when and where I please, and you must promise to reverence and
obey her whoever she may be; poor or rich, beautiful or ugly, she
must be regarded as though she were an emperor's daughter. Promise
this, and I will wed as you desire." They promised gladly, but to
make sure that the duke would indeed fulfil his word, they asked him
to appoint a day when the marriage should be. This he did, and
forthwith great preparations were made.

Squires and knights from all parts came to Salucia to do honour to
this marriage. The feast was ordered, brooches and necklaces for the
bride were made by the best craftsmen in the town, and all the court
prepared to wear its most splendid robes. Yet, strange to say, when
the day of the wedding came, no one knew who the bride would be. Some
were afraid lest Duke Walter should again change his mind and not