But as fire will not be hid where there is matter combustible, so vertue will not be obscured where there be tongues and eares: nor could the Marquesse so hallow after his hawks and hounds, but report hallowed in his eare as fast this wonderment; insomuch that when it was confirmed by judicious relation he made it not dainty to be behoulding to his owne experience: which when he saw concurring with fame, the miracle brought a kinde of astonishment; which continuing, the properties of such novelties, increased to meditation: and so comparing the rest with this rarity, he thought her a fit woman to make his wife, supposing that if she were vertuous by nature, she would not prove vicious by education; but rather as a diamond is a stone of the same value whether set in lead or horne, it must needs be of more excellency embellished with gold and enamell. In which resolution hee prepared his heart, and went forward with his businesse. In the meane time the Court was daintily furnished, the plate prepared, the apparell magnificent, the coronet rich, the jewels precious, the ornaments exceeding, and all things befitting the magnificence of a prince and the dignities of a queen: only the nobles wondred, the ladies were amazed, the damsells marvelled, the gentles disputed, the people flocked, and all sorts attended to see who should possesse this wealth and bee adorned with these robes. Till at last the nuptial day came indeed: honour prepared the sumptuousness; fame divulged the glory; hymen invited the guests; magnificence adorned the roomes; the officers marshald the state, and all looked for a bride; but who she was the next chapter must discover. [Illustration] CHAP. II. How, after all this great preparation, the Marquesse of Saluss demanded Grisell of her poore father Janicola; and, espousing her, made her Marchionesse of Saluss.