hall also strive to
make apparent. To the beginnings of a reconciliation with the Pontiff
afforded by his touching letter of condolence on the death of the Duke
of Gandia, he now added a very cordial reception and entertainment of
Cesare; and throughout his sojourn in France the latter received at
the hands of della Rovere the very friendliest treatment, the cardinal
missing no opportunity of working in the duke's interests and for the
advancement of his ends.

The Pope wrote to the cardinal commending Cesare to his good graces, and
the cardinal replied with protestations which he certainly proceeded to
make good.

Della Rovere was to escort Cesare to the king, who was with his Court
then at Chinon, awaiting the completion of the work that was being
carried out at his Castle of Blois, which presently became his chief
residence. But Cesare appears to have tarried in Avignon, for he was
still there at the end of October, nor did he reach Chinon until the
middle of December. The pomp of his entrance was a thing stupendous. We
find a detailed relation of it in Brantome, translated into prose
form some old verses which, he tells us, that he found in the family
treasury. He complains of their coarseness, and those who are acquainted
with the delightful old Frenchman's own frankness of expression may
well raise their brows at that criticism of his. Whatever the coarse
liberties taken with the subject--of which we are not allowed more than
an occasional glimpse--and despite the fact that the relation was
in verse, which ordinarily makes for the indulgence of the rhymer's
fancy--the description appears to be fairly accurate, for it corresponds
more or less with the particulars given in Sanuto.

At the head of the cavalcade went twenty-four sumpter-mules, laden with
coffers and other baggage under draperies embroidered with Cesare's
arms--prominent among which would be the red bull, the emblem of his
house, and the three-pointed flame, his own particular device. Behind
these came another twenty-four mules, caparisoned in the king's colours
of scarlet and gold, to be followed in their turn by sixteen beautiful
chargers led by hand, similarly caparisoned, and their bridles and
stirrups of solid silver. Next came eighteen pages on horseback, sixteen
of whom were in scarlet and yellow, whilst the remaining two were in
cloth of gold. These were followed by a posse of lacqueys in the same
liveries and two mules laden with coffers dr