ht to ponder. He
consulted Cardinal Ascanio, consulted his astrologers, took the test of
the opening Virgil. His eye lighted upon the portentous words: "Tantae
molis erat Romanam condere gentem." Who would have twittered after
those? He sought his guest and told him roundly that if the thing went
well he would send an envoy to the court at Nona, and support the new
Duchy with moral force.

Amilcare did not believe him, naturally, nor did he greatly care for
moral forces. He stipulated for an envoy at once, an invitation for
himself and his wife to Bianca Maria's wedding, and for a loan of twenty
thousand ducats in specie.

Ludovic boggled horribly at this; but they accorded at last. The envoy
was to go then and there, the invitation should be sent when the Borgia
had agreed to visit Nona, and the money when he was within a day's ride
of that city. Reduced to cipher-writing, this treaty was placed below
the visible Host on the high altar of Sant' Eustorgio; the allies
received the Communion, and after another week's festivities the Duke
and Duchess of Nona went home.

At parting, the two girls clung together.

"We shall never meet again, child," cried the chosen Empress. "I am sure
of it."

Molly kissed her. "Are we not to come to your marriage, dear Bianca?"

"My marriage?" cried the other. "You will as likely see me there as that
shadow of a name which will be my bridegroom. You will see my
simulacrum, a plastered effigy of me. I shall be stiff with gold-dust
and diamonds; a doll marrying a doll's bed-gown. Why should I be there
if his ever-august Majesty is represented by a puff of silly breath?
Pray, never look for Bianca Maria in the Queen of the Romans. The Queen
of the Romans is a doll, windy ruler of the name of a people; Bianca
Maria Sforza, daughter of thieves, has been your friend, as you will
see. She has provided for your third husband an honest man. Now kiss me
for the last time and, by Heaven, go quickly, or I shall keep you here
for my soul's health."

The fierce little hungry creature threw her arms round Molly's neck and
kissed her like a lover.

Molly was melted into tears. "Oh, Bianca, you bewilder, you terrify me!
What is this of husbands and your soul?"

"Ah, my soul!" cried she. "Do you think so highly of it as to suppose
it will survive this marriage, or so lightly as not to care? My soul,
poor child, is in the case with your lovely body. It is the tied bird of
all these fowlers."

"