course of things.—Italian respectability.—The three brothers, Francesco, Ferdinand, and Pietro.—The ladies of the court.—Francesco's temper—his avarice—and wealth.—Frolicsome days at Florence.—The Cardinal recommends respectability.—The Duke ensures it.—A court dialogue

234   CHAPTER III. Bianca balances her accounts.—Dangers in her path.—A bold step—and its consequences.—Facilis descensus.—A proud father.—Bianca's witchcraft.—The Cardinal is checkmated, for this game 257   CHAPTER IV. The Duchess Giovanna and her sorrows.—An heir is born.—Bianca in the shade.—The "Orti Oricellari."—Bianca entertains the Court there.—A summer night's amusement in 1577.—The death of Giovanna 271   CHAPTER V. What is Francesco to do now?—The Cardinal and Bianca try another fall.—Cardinal down again.—Francesco's vengeance.—What does the Church say?—Bianca at Bologna.—The marriage privately performed.—The Cardinal learns the secret.—The daughtership of St. Mark.—Venetian doings versus Venetian sayings.—Embassy to Florence.—Suppose we could have her crowned!—The marriage publicly solemnised 284   CHAPTER VI. Bianca's new policy.—New phase of the battle between the woman and the priest.—Serene, or not serene! that is the question.—Bianca protests against sisters.—Death of the child Filippo.—Bianca's troubles and struggles.—The villa of Pratolino.—Francesco's extraordinary mode of life there 303   CHAPTER VII. The family feeling in Italy.—Who shall be the heir?—Bianca at Cerreto.—Camilla di Martelli.—Don Pietro on the watch.—Bianca at her tricks again.—The Cardinal comes to look after matters.—Was Francesco dupe or accomplice?—Bianca's comedy becomes a very broad farce.—A "Villeggiatura" at Poggio–a–Cajano.—The Cardinal wins the game 317   CHAPTER VIII. Three hypotheses respecting the deaths of Francesco and Bianca.—The official version of the story.—The Novelist's version of the story.—A third possibility.—Circumstances that followed the two deaths.—Bianca's grave; and epitaphs for it by the Florentines.—Ferdinand's final success 333

---

OLYMPIA PAMFILI.

Born, 1594. Died, 1656.

Pope Joan rediviva.—Olympia's outlook on life.—Her mode of "opening the oyster."—She succeeds in opening it.—Olympia's son.—Olympia at home in the Vatican.—Her trade.—A Cardinal's escape from the purple.—Olympia under a cloud. Is once more at the head of the field; and in at the death.—A Conclave.—Olympia's star wanes.—Pœna pede claudo	346

---

ELISABETTA SIRANI.

Born, 1638. Died, 1665.

CHAPTER I.
Her life	366
CHAPTER II.
Her death	379

---

LA CORILLA.

Born, 1740. Died, 1800.

CHAPTER I.
The apprenticeship to the laurel	393
CHAPTER II.
The coronation	403
Appendix	417
Notes	429
Index	437