he fame of its founders,
but to yourself is due the position which the Gaetani now again enjoy.

The survival of historical tradition in things and men exercises an
indescribable charm on every student of civilization. To recognize in
the ancient and still nourishing families of modern Rome the descendants
of the great personalities of other times, and to enjoy daily
intercourse with them, made a profound impression on me. The Colonna,
the Orsini, and the Gaetani are my friends, and all afforded me the
greatest assistance. These families long ago vanished from the stage of
Roman history, but the day came, illustrious Duke, when you were to make
a place again for your ancient race in the history of the Imperial City;
the day when--the temporal power of the popes having passed away, a
power which had endured a thousand years--you carried to King Victor
Emmanuel in Florence the declaration of allegiance of the Roman
populace. This episode, marking the beginning of a new era for the city,
will live, together with your name, in the annals of the Gaetani, and
will preserve it forever in the memory of the Romans.

GREGOROVIUS.

ROME, _March 9, 1874_.

CONTENTS

BOOK THE FIRST--LUCRETIA BORGIA IN ROME

CHAPTER I PAGE

LUCRETIA'S FATHER 3

CHAPTER II

LUCRETIA'S MOTHER 10

CHAPTER III

LUCRETIA'S FIRST HOME 15

CHAPTER IV

LUCRETIA'S EDUCATION 20

CHAPTER V

NEPOTISM--GIULIA FARNESE--LUCRETIA'S BETROTHALS 34

CHAPTER VI

HER FATHER BECOMES POPE--GIOVANNI SFORZA 44

CHAPTER VII

LUCRETIA'S FIRST MARRIAGE 53

CHAPTER VIII

FAMILY AFFAIRS 62

CHAPTER IX

LUCRETIA LEAVES ROME 71

CHAPTER X

HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF PESARO 76

CHAPTER XI

THE INVASION OF ITALY--THE PROFLIGATE WORLD 87

CHAPTER XII

THE DIVORCE AND SECOND MARRIAGE 102

CHAPTER XIII

A REGENT AND A MOTHER 113

CHAPTER XIV

SOCIAL LIFE OF THE BORGIAS 125

CHAPTER XV

MISFORTUNES OF CATARINA SFORZA