e King of France was held in derision by the fierce old
admiral, who so alarmed the envoy himself that he thought it prudent to
retire to Florence, from whence he wrote a long letter to his master
complaining of his reception by Doria.

This attempt to levy a fine on Genoa was not, however, the only deadly blow
which the King of France was aiming at her. The children of Francis were at
this time in Madrid, as hostages for the good behaviour of their father,
and that monarch was in treaty secretly with Charles to restore Italy to
the _status quo ante bellum_, which would have had the effect of handing
over Genoa to Antony Adorno. He also began the fortification of Savona, in
order that from there he might be in a position to strike at the
Genoese--from a military point of view, if necessary--but in any event to
cripple the trade of that city. Andrea Doria, as soon as he became aware of
this latter action on the part of Francis, was thoroughly roused, and wrote
him the letter quoted below, which illustrates the fact that he was quite
aware of his own great importance in Europe. It was not a time in which men
held such language as did Doria on this occasion unless they were very sure
of themselves and their followers.

"GREAT PRINCE,

"It is an ill use of power to reverse order in human affairs. Genoa has
always been the capital of Liguria, and posterity will see with
astonishment that your Majesty has deprived it of this advantage with no
plausible pretext. The Genoese are well aware how inimical to their
interests are your projects with regard to Savona. They beg of you that
these may be abandoned, and that you will not sacrifice the general good
to the views of a few courtiers. I take the liberty to add my prayers to
theirs, and to ask of you this grace as the price of the services I have
rendered to France. Should your Majesty have been put to
expense, I shall join to my request the sum of forty thousand gold
crowns.

"With the humble duty of Andrea Doria,
Captain-General of the Galleys of France."

Theodore Trivulce, who held Savona for the King of France, was roundly told
by Doria that "the people of Genoa would never suffer the taking of Savona
by the King of France, as it had from time immemorial belonged to them,"
and added, "for myself I will sacrifice the friendship of the King in the
interests of my fatherland."

The last straw came, however, when the Marshal de Lautrec d