5,
1494, he departed this life without the consolation of being able to
suppose that any of his schemes had done anything to avert the impending
ruin of his house.

In spite of all Alexander's intercessions and representations,
calculated to induce Charles VIII to abandon his descent upon Italy; in
spite, no less, of the counsel he received at home from such far-seeing
men as had his ear, the Christian King was now determined upon the
expedition and his preparations were well advanced. In the month of
March he assumed the title of King of Sicily, and sent formal intimation
of it to Alexander, demanding his investiture at the hands of the Pope
and offering to pay him a heavy annual tribute. Alexander was thus given
to choose between the wrath of France and the wrath of Naples, and--to
put the basest construction on his motives--he saw that the peril from
an enemy on his very frontiers would be more imminent than that of an
enemy beyond the Alps. It is also possible that he chose to be guided by
his sense of justice and to do in the matter what he considered right.
By whatever motive he was prompted, the result was that he refused to
accede to the wishes of the Christian King.

The Consistory which received the French ambassador--Peron de
Basche--became the scene of stormy remonstrances, Cardinal Giuliano
della Rovere, of course, supporting the ambassador and being supported
in his act of insubordination by the Vice-Chancellor Ascanio Sforza
(who represented his brother Lodovico in the matter) and the Cardinals
Sanseverino, Colonna, and Savelli, all attached to French interests.
Peron de Basche so far presumed, no doubt emboldened by this support, as
to threaten the Pope with deposition if he persisted in his refusal to
obey the King of France.

You see once more that kingly attitude, and you shall see it yet again
presently and be convinced of its precise worth. In one hand a bribe of
heavy annual tribute, in the other a threat of deposition; it was thus
they conducted their business with the Holy Father. In this instance his
Holiness took the threat, and dismissed the insolent ambassador. Della
Rovere, conceiving that in France he had a stouter ally than in Naples,
and seeing that he had once more incurred the papal anger by his
open enmity, fled back to Ostia; and, not feeling safe there, for the
pontifical forces were advancing upon his fortress, took ship to Genoa,
and thence to France, to plot the Pope's ruin wit