By and by she had a baby daughter, much to the joy of the duke and his people.  Griselda was indeed happy; but alas! when the baby was two years old a strange thing happened.  The duke was suddenly seized by an irresistible desire to test the patience and love of his wife.  The desire was stupid, as it seems to me, for it might have destroyed the happiness of them both; but Duke Walter could not resist it, do what he would, so one day he said to his wife, “Griselda, you cannot have forgotten how poor you were before our marriage.  Now, although I love you dearly, my courtiers are aggrieved that they must obey and serve one who is really only the daughter of a peasant.  Their discontent has increased since your baby came, and therefore, to quell this grumbling, I must take away your child.  See now if your patience and obedience are indeed as steadfast as you promised they should be.”

Poor Griselda felt cold at heart, but showed no sign of her grief and fear to her husband.  “My child and I are yours, my lord,” she said.  “Work your pleasure upon us.  My love and obedience shall not change.”  Duke Walter was glad at this, but could not bring himself to change his cruel plan.  He sent to Griselda a fierce-looking soldier, who seized her baby roughly, as though he would kill it at once.  Griselda bore all meekly.  She asked that she might kiss her baby once before it was put to death.  The soldier allowed this, and as she gave it back she said, “Receive again this little maid.  She should have had a tenderer nurse, but my lord’s will must be done.  One thing only I ask, if you kill the child, bury its little body safe from beasts and birds.”  She said no more, and her manner showed no anger or resentment.

The soldier told all to the duke.  “Take the child secretly,” he said, “to my sister, the Countess of Boulogne.  I will give you letters to ask her to tend and rear it carefully; yet the child must never know its birth and parentage, and Griselda, my wife, must think her babe is dead.”  The soldier obeyed.

For many months Duke Walter watched to see if he could find in Griselda any signs of impatience and grief, but she was humble as ever, and never even mentioned her baby nor asked after it.

After four years a baby boy was born to her, and again she was happy, and the people rejoiced greatly; but when the baby was two years old, again Duke Walter was possessed with the desire to torment and try his wife.  Again he said that the courtiers disliked the child because the mother was a peasant’s daughter, and again he sent the rough sergeant to seize the child and act as though he would kill it.  Again Griselda kissed her baby farewell, and begged the soldier to bury its little body carefully; but still her manner was meek and gentle and showed no resistance to the cruel decrees of her husband and lord.  The duke as before sent the baby secretly to Boulogne, and there sister and brother grew into fine handsome children, yet no one knew who they were.