"And what," said Auristella, "does it mean by painting her with a crown on her head, and a globe beneath her feet? and moreover, why is the crown divided in two?" "These things, lady," replied the owner, "are fancies or caprices of the artist; possibly it means that the lady merits the crown of superior beauty, and that she has the whole world at her feet. But it is my opinion that you, lady, are the original, and that you well deserve a whole crown, and not a painted world, but a real one." "What do you ask for this picture?" inquired Constance; to which the owner answered, "Two pilgrims are here, one of whom has offered me a thousand crowns of gold, and the other says that he will not lose it for any money. The sale is not yet concluded, but it seems to me they must be jesting, for the exorbitant sum they offer makes me feel in doubt." "Yet it is not so," said Constance, "for these pilgrims, if they are what I believe them to be, could easily give you even twice what they have promised, and pay you to your satisfaction." The French ladies, Ruperta, Croriano, and Periander, all stood wondering greatly to see the very image of Auristella painted on this picture. People came in to look at it, and by degrees a murmur arose, every one declaring that "The picture which is here to be sold is the same as this pilgrim in the carriage." They wanted not only to look at the likeness, but at the original, and so began to surround the carriage in such a manner that the horses could neither move backwards nor forwards. "Therefore," said Periander, "Auristella, my sister, conceal thy face with some kind of veil, for so much brightness is dazzling, and will not let us see our road." Auristella did as he desired, and they moved on; yet still a great many persons followed, hoping that the veil might be withdrawn, and they might obtain a sight of what they wished to see. They had not long been gone when Arnoldo, in his pilgrim's dress, came to the owner of the picture and said, "I am he who offered a thousand crowns for this portrait if you will part with it; bring it, and come with me now, I will count the money out to you directly in gold." Then came the other pilgrim, who was the Duke de Nemours, saying, "Do not consider about a price, but come with me, and name any sum you please, it shall be yours at once." "My lords," replied the painter, for so he was, "agree between yourselves as to who is to carry it off, and we will not disagree about the price, since I think that you are more likely to pay me in words than in fact." A great number of persons stood by listening to this conversation, expecting to see what would be the result, for to see thousands of ducats offered for a picture, especially by two apparently poor pilgrims, seemed a very amusing matter. "Then," said the owner of the picture, "let him who wishes to have it give me some pledge in hand, and I will deliver it up to him."