"
"If my lord thinks so," answered Griselda, "he may find nurses for his
babes. It seems as if no love could be so dear as mine. But perchance
he is right. My ways are uncouth beside those of royal blood. I will
give my babes a better teacher. Only I may see them often, and love
them still as dear, can I not, Furio?"
"That is not my lord's wish, madam," said Furio, not daring to look
full at the duchess, and keeping his eyes fixed on the ground. "The
duke fears that even now the people murmur that an heir of base origin
shall grow up to rule over them. And he is forced to study the will of
his people. So he has sent me to take away the babes, and dispose of
them according to his royal orders."
When he had said this, Griselda looked at him as one who did not
understand the language which he spake. All the blood forsook her
cheek, her strength gave way, and falling at the feet of the old
servant, still holding her baby clasped to her breast, she looked up in
his face imploringly, like the deer who lies under the knife of the
hunter.
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