Lord Walter said to her: 

“Griselda, thou hast not forgotten the day on which I brought thee from thy father’s lowly cottage to this my castle.  Although thou art most dear to me, thou art not dear to my nobles.  They say that it is hard that they should serve one so lowly born as thou.  Since thy daughter was born they have said this more and more, I doubt not.  As thou knowest, my will is to live with my people in joy and peace.  Therefore must I do to my child not as I wish myself, but as my nobles wish.  Show then to me the obedience that thou didst promise to show when thou wert wed in the village street.”

As Griselda heard these words she made no moan.  Neither did she let the pain that caught at her heart be seen in her face.  When she could speak, she said: 

“Lord, we are thine!  My child is thine.  I also am thine.  With thine own thou mayest ever do as pleaseth thee best.”

The Marquis was full of joy because of the patience and humbleness of Griselda; but he appeared to be sad, and left her with a troubled face.

Soon after this, Griselda started as she heard a heavy footstep on the stairway.  Then an evil-looking man walked into the quiet room.

“Madam,” he said, “I must obey my lord’s will.  He bids me take this child.  Thou knowest we must obey, although we may complain and mourn.”

Then the soldier took the child so roughly that it seemed as if he would kill it before her.  Griselda said: 

“Pray, sir, do thou suffer me to kiss my child ere it die.”  He gave it back to her.  Gently she gathered it in her arms.  She blessed it, and lulled it, and kissed it.  Then she said in her sweet voice:  “Farewell, my child, I shall see thee never again.  The blessing of Him who died on a cross of wood for us, rest on thee.  To Him I give thy soul, my little one!  To-night thou must die because of me.”

To the rough soldier she said: 

“Take again the child and obey my Lord.  But if it please my Lord, then of thy kindness bury thou the little body where no cruel bird nor beast can harm it!”

But in silence the soldier carried away the child.

Then Lord Walter looked to see if Griselda would fret or be less kind to him.  He watched, but could see no change in her.  She was as busy and loving and cheerful as ever.  Neither in earnest nor in play did she name her child.

After four years a son was born to Griselda.  The people were very glad because there was now an heir to rule the land at the death of Lord Walter.  Griselda too was happy, though her heart longed for the little maid who might have been playing with her brother.

When the boy was two years old, Lord Walter began to wish once more to try the patience of Griselda.

This time he said to her: 

“Wife, I have told thee before how ill the people bear our marriage.  Now that a son is born they are more wrathful than before.  My heart is weary with the thought of their complaints.  They say, ’When Lord Walter is gone, the grandson of Janicola shall rule us!’ Therefore I shall do with my son as I did with his sister.  Be patient, I pray thee.”