One day a young man from their village came to ask for her hand, and her father refused him – sent him away. Said that Iocale was too precious to be given to a penniless, inconstant village peasant, and that Vulpes – the Fox – only wanted Iocale for her money. But Vulpes had not been dissuaded by Iocale’s father’s words. He loved her truly, having watched her from afar for many years, listening as she talked with her friends while weaving, and had fallen in love with her quick wit and bright manner. He had been drawn to her by her weaving, but he loved her for her quiet beauty and swift humour, not her money.