accompanied by Baccio Valori, in passing through Arezzo he found
Giorgio, who had been left without a father and was occupying himself as
best he could; wherefore, desiring that he should make some proficience
in art, and wishing to have him near his person, he commanded Tommaso
de' Nerli, who was Commissary there, that he should send him to Rome as
soon as he should have finished a chapel that he was painting in fresco
for the Monks of S. Bernardo, of the Order of Monte Oliveto, in that
city. That commission Nerli executed immediately, and Giorgio, having
thus arrived in Rome, went straightway to find Francesco, who joyfully
described to him in what favour he was with his lord the Cardinal, and
how he was in a place where he could satisfy his hunger for study;
adding, also: "Not only do I enjoy the present, but I hope for even
better things, for, besides seeing you in Rome, with whom, as the young
friend nearest to my heart, I shall be able to study and discuss the
matters of art, I also live in hope of entering the service of Cardinal
Ippolito de' Medici, from whose liberality, as well as from the favour
of the Pope, I may look for greater things than I have at present; and
this will happen without a doubt if a certain young man, who is expected
from abroad, does not arrive." Giorgio, although he knew that the young
man who was expected was himself, and that the place was being kept for
him, yet would not reveal himself, because of a certain doubt that had
entered his mind as to whether the Cardinal might not have another in
view, and also from a wish not to declare a circumstance that might
afterwards fall out differently. Giorgio had brought a letter from the
above-named Commissary Nerli to the Cardinal, which, after having been
five days in Rome, he had not yet presented. Finally Giorgio and
Francesco went to the Palace and found in what is now the Hall of Kings
Messer Marco da Lodi, who had formerly been with the Cardinal of
Cortona, as was related above, but was then in the service of Medici. To
him Giorgio presented himself, saying that he had a letter from the
Commissary of Arezzo that was to be delivered to the Cardinal, and
praying that he should give it to him; which Messer Marco was promising
to do immediately, when at that very moment the Cardinal himself
appeared there. Whereupon Giorgio, coming forward before him, presented
the letter and kissed his hands; and he was received graciously, and
shortly afterw