beauty that preoccupied the thoughts of Bianca, it was the idea that this prince, as powerful as he seemed gracious, might, by one word, raise the ban from Pietro Bonaventuri, and restore both him and herself to freedom.  It was this idea which kindled a double lustre in the eyes of the young Venetian, as she punctually at the hour of his passing, ran to the window, and sloped the jalousie.  One day, the prince happening to look up as he passed, met the enkindled glance of his fair observer.  Bianca hastily retired.”

What immediately follows need not be told at any length.  Francesco was enamoured:  he obtained an interview.  Bianca released and enriched her lover, but became the mistress of the young duke.  Pietro was quite content with this arrangement; he had himself given the first example of inconstancy.  He entered upon a career of riotous pleasure, which ended in a violent death.

Francesco, in obedience to his father, married a princess of the house of Austria; but Bianca still retained her influence.  His wife, who had been much afflicted by this preference of her rival, died, and the repentant widower swore never again to see Bianca.  He kept the oath for four months; but she placed herself as if by accident in his path, and all her old power was revived.  Francesco, by the death of his father, became the reigning Duke of Tuscany, and Bianca Capello, his wife and duchess.  And now we arrive at that part of the story in which Ferdinand, the brother of Francesco, and whose statue at Livorno led to this history, enters on the scene.

“About three years after their nuptials, the young Archduke, the issue of Francesco’s previous marriage, died, leaving the ducal throne of Tuscany without direct heir; failing which the Cardinal Ferdinand would become Grand-duke at the death of his brother.  Now Bianca had given to Francesco one son; but, besides that he was born before their marriage, and therefore incapable of succeeding, the rumour had been spread that he was supposititious.  The dukedom, therefore, would descend to the Cardinal if the Grand-duchess should have no other child; and Francesco himself had begun to despair of this happiness, when Bianca announced to him a second pregnancy.

“This time the Cardinal resolved to watch himself the proceedings of his dear sister-in-law, lest he should be the dupe of some new manoeuvre.  He began, therefore, to cultivate in an especial manner the friendship of his brother, declaring, that the present condition of the Grand-duchess proved to him how false had been the rumours spread touching her former accouchement.  Francesco, happy to find his brother in this disposition, returned his advances with the utmost cordiality.  The Cardinal availed himself of this friendly feeling to come and install himself in the Palace Pitti.

“The arrival of the Cardinal was by no means agreeable to Bianca, who was not at