igS FICTION

in the most genteel and cheerful manner Imagi-
nable.

Now Gualtieri, who had his children carefully
brought up at Bologna (the girl being about
twelve years old, and one of the prettiest creat-
ures that ever WES seen, and the boy six), had
sent to his kinswoman there, to desire she would
bring them, with an honourable retinue, to Sal-
iizzOj giving it out all the way she came that
she was bringing the young lady to be married
to him, without letting any one know to the
contrary. *

Accordingly, they all set forwards, attended
by a goodly train of gentry; and, after travelling
some days, reached Saluzzo about dinner-time,
when they found the whole country assembled,
waiting to see their new lady. The young lady
was most graciously received by all the women
present; and being come into the hall where the
tables were all covered, Griselda} meanly dressed
as she was went cheerfully to meet her, saying,
**Your ladyship is most kindly welcome." The
ladies, who had greatly importuned the prince,
though to no purpose, to let Griselda be in a
room by herselfj or else that she might have
some of her own clothes, and not appear be-
fore strangers in that manner, were now seated,
and going to be served round; whilst the young
lady was universally admired, and everyone said
that the prince had made a good change; but