o have possessed
considerable wit, but, on the other hand, instead of being a
high-minded man, as Queen Margaret pictures him, he was a
thorough profligate, and willingly lent a hand in
Alexander's scandalous amours. The heroine of this story is
erroneously described as Lorenzino's sister; in point of
fact she was his aunt, Catherine Ginori. See Appendix, C.--
Ed.

Finding the gentleman's sister to be a lady of such exemplary virtue
that he was unable to declare his passion to her, though he sought
all possible opportunities for doing so, the Duke at last came to his
favourite and said to him--

"If there were anything in this world, my friend, that I might be
unwilling to do for you, I should hesitate to tell you what is in my
mind, and still more to beg your assistance. But such is the affection
I bear you that had I wife, mother, or daughter who could avail to
save your life, I would sacrifice them rather than allow you to die in
torment. I believe that your love for me is the counterpart of mine for
you, and that if I, who am your master, bear you so much affection,
you, on your part, can have no less for me. I will therefore tell you a
secret, the keeping of which has brought me to the condition you see. I
have no hope of any improvement except it be through death or else the
service which you are in a position to render me."

On hearing these words from the Duke, and seeing his face unfeignedly
bathed in tears, the gentleman felt such great pity for him that he
said--

"Sir, I am your creature: all the wealth and honour that I am possessed
of in this world come from you. You may speak to me as to your own
soul, in the certainty that all that it be in my power to do is at your
command."

Thereupon the Duke began to tell him of the love he bore his sister,
a love so deep and strong that he feared he could not live much longer
unless, by the gentleman's help, he succeeded in satisfying his desire.
He was well aware that neither prayers nor presents would be of any
avail with the lady, wherefore he begged the gentleman--if he cared for
his master's life as much as he, his master, cared for his--to devise
some means of procuring him the good fortune which, without such
assistance, he could never hope to obtain.

The brother, who loved his sister and the honour of his house far
more than the Duke's pleasure, endeavoured to remonstrate with him,
entreating that he might be empl