expedition should be ripe. Further, Loius
XII was induced to make representations to Venice to the end that the
Republic should remove her protection from the Manfredi of Faenza and
the Malatesta of Rimini.

Venice being at the time in trouble with the Turk, and more anxious than
ever to conciliate France and the Pope, was compelled to swallow her
reluctance and submit with the best grace she could assume. Accordingly
she dispatched her ambassadors to Rome to convey her obedience to the
Pope's Holiness, and formally to communicate the news that she withdrew
her protection from the proscribed fiefs.

Later in the year--in the month of October--the Senate was to confer
upon Cesare Borgia the highest honour in her gift, the honour of which
the Venetians were jealous above all else--the honour of Venetian
citizenship, inscribing his name in the Golden Book, bestowing upon him
a palace in Venice and conferring the other marks of distinction usual
to the occasion. One is tempted to ask, Was it in consequence of
Paolo Capello's lurid Relation that the proud Republic considered him
qualified for such an honour?

To return, however, to the matter of the Republic's removal of her
shield from Rimini and Faenza, Alexander received the news of this with
open joy and celebrated it with festivities in the Vatican, whilst from
being angry with Venice and from declaring that the Republic need never
again look to him for favour, he now veered round completely and assured
the Venetian envoys, in a burst of gratitude, that he esteemed no Power
in the world so highly. Cesare joined in his father's expressions
of gratitude and appreciation, and promised that Alexander should be
succeeded in St. Peter's Chair by such a Pope as should be pleasing to
Venice, and that, if the cardinals but remained united, the Pontificate
should go to none but a Venetian.

Thus did Cesare, sincerely or otherwise, attempt to lessen the
Republic's chagrin to see him ride lance-on-thigh as conqueror into the
dominions which she so long had coveted.

France once more placed Yves d'Allegre at Cesare's disposal, and with
him went six hundred lances and six hundred Swiss foot. These swelled
the forces which already Cesare had assembled into an army some ten
thousand strong. The artillery was under the command of Vitellozzo
Vitelli, whilst Bartolomeo da Capranica was appointed camp-master.
Cesare's banner was joined by a condotta under Paolo Orsini--besides
whom t