At last all the feast was ready, all the palace beautifully adorned, upstairs and downstairs--hall and chambers. The noble guests arrived who were bidden to the wedding--lords and ladies richly arrayed--and still there was no bride! The marquis made them all follow him into the village, to the sound of music. Now, Griselda, who knew nothing of all this, went that morning to fetch water from the well; and she heard say that this was to be the marquis’s wedding-day. So she hastened home, and thought to herself she would get through her work as fast as she could, and try to see something of the sight. “I will stand with the other girls at the door,” she said to herself innocently, “and I shall see the new marchioness, if she passes by this way to the castle.” Just as she crossed the door, the marquis came up, and called her. Griselda set down her water-cans beside the door in an ox’s stall,[142] and, dropping on her knees,[143] waited for the great lord to speak. The marquis said gravely, “Where is thy father, Griselda?” and Griselda answered humbly, “He is all ready here,” and hurried in to fetch him. Then the marquis took the poor man by the hand, saying, “Janicula, I shall no longer hide the wish of my heart. If you will consent, I will take your daughter for my wife before I leave this house. I know you love me, and are my faithful liegeman. Tell me, then, whether you will have me for your son-in-law.” This sudden offer so astonished the poor man that he grew all red, and abashed, and trembling. He could say nothing but--“My lord, it is not for me to gainsay your lordship. Whatever my lord wishes.” Yit wol I, quod this markys softely, yet That in thy chambre, I and thou and sche Have a collacioun, and wostow why? meeting, knowest thou For I wol aske if that it hir wille be To be my wyf, and reule hir after me; according to And al this schal be doon in thy presence, done I wol nought speke out of thyn audience. hearing “Yet,” said the marquis, softly, “fain would I That in thy chamber I and thou and she Confer together--dost thou wonder why? For I would ask her whether she will be My wife--and rule herself to pleasure me; And in thy presence all things shall be said: Behind thy back no contract shall be made.” And while the three were talking in the chamber all the people came into the house without,[144] and wondered among themselves how carefully and kindly she kept her father. But poor Griselda, who had never seen such a sight before, looked quite pale. She was not used to such grand visitors. [Illustration: GRISELDA’S MARRIAGE ‘This is ynough, Grisilde myn, quod he.’] This is what the marquis said to her.