hint at Bianca's condition, the
loving heart of Madonna Costanza melted towards the beauteous, weeping
girl, and she drew her to her bosom to embrace and comfort her.

Long and anxious vigil the four kept that winter's night. The outcome of
their deliberations was the marriage of Pietro and Bianca, on 12th
December, privately, at Ser Zenobio's, with the priestly blessing at San
Marco's across the way.

It was deemed expedient that the young people should conceal themselves
as much as possible, in view of the extreme measures taken by the Serene
Republic. If caught, Pietro was to be slain and Bianca enclosed in a
convent. The abduction of a noble Venetian was a capital offence, and
the girl's dowry was confiscated by the State.

Soon the news of the elopement ran through Florence and set everybody
talking. The reward of two thousand gold ducats was a tempting bait for
desperadoes and others in need of coin. Everybody wished to see the
beauteous Venetian and have a chat with bold Pietro, for, of course, no
Florentine blamed them! Who could?

* * * * *

Don Francesco, Duke Cosimo's eldest son, was in Bavaria making
believe-courtship with the Archduchess Joanne, the Emperor's daughter,
when the gossip about Pietro and Bianca reached him. He, of course, knew
nothing of the Buonaventuri, nor of the Cappelli, but romance is romance
in every age and degree of human life! He determined on his return to
Florence to find out the amorous young couple and judge for himself of
the charms of the fair girl-bride.

Away back, in the grounds of the monastery of San Marco, was the
garden-casino of Cosimo, "_Padre della Patria_," a delightful retreat.
Francesco received it as a gift from his father, and there he was
accustomed to entertain his friends and familiars.

Passing, on his way thither--as he often did, with a frolicsome party of
young bloods--the humble dwelling of the Buonaventuri, he chanced, one
day, to look up at a half-open window--the jalousies were thrown back,
and there, sitting at her needlework, was the very girl he sought!

There could be no manner of doubt who she was, no Florentine maiden was
so fair, and no eyes in Florence were so bright. Casually asking a
member of his suite whose house they were passing, Don Francesco tossed
up his glove at the girl and passed on.

Another person witnessed this love passage, the Marchesa Anna
Mondragone, wife of Francesco's old governor a