all deceived as to the true cause of this fraternal visit.  She knew that, in the Cardinal, she had a spy upon her at every moment.  The spy, however, could detect nothing that savoured of imposture.  If her condition was feigned, the comedy was admirably played.  The Cardinal began to think that his suspicions were unjust.  Nevertheless, if there were craft, the game he determined should be played out with equal skill upon his side.

“The eventful day arrived.  The Cardinal could not remain in the chamber of Bianca, but he stationed himself in an antechamber, through which every one who visited her must necessarily pass.  There he began to say his breviary, walking solemnly to and fro.  After praying and promenading thus for about an hour, a message was brought to him from the invalid, requesting him to go into another room, as his tread disturbed her.  ’Let her attend to her affairs, and I to mine,’ was the only answer he gave, and the Cardinal recommenced his walk and his prayer.

“Soon after this the confessor of the Grand-duchess entered—­a Capuchin, in a long robe.  The Cardinal went up to him, and embraced him in his arms, recommending his sister most affectionately to his pious care.  While embracing the good monk, the Cardinal felt, or thought he felt, something strange in his long sleeve.  He groped under the Capuchin’s robe, and drew out—­a fine boy.

    “‘My dear brother,’ said the Cardinal, ’I am now more tranquil. 
    I am sure, at least, that my dear sister-in-law will not die
    this time in childbirth.’

“The monk saw that all that remained was to avoid, if possible, the scandal; and he asked the Cardinal himself what he should do.  The Cardinal told him to enter into the chamber of the Duchess, whisper to her what had happened, and, as she acted, so would he act.  Silence should purchase silence; clamour, clamour.

“Bianca saw that she must renounce at present her design to give a successor to the ducal crown; she submitted to a miscarriage.  The Cardinal, on his side, kept his word, and the unsuccessful attempt was never betrayed.

“A few months passed on; there was an uninterrupted harmony between the brothers, and Francesco invited the Cardinal, who was fond of field-sports, to pass some time with him at a country palace, famous for its preserves Of game.

“On the very day of his arrival, Bianca, who knew that the Cardinal was partial to a certain description of tart, bethought her to prepare one for him herself.  This flattering attention on the part of his sister-in-law was hinted to him by Francesco, who mentioned it as a new proof of the Duchess’s amiability, but, as he had no great confidence in his reconciliation with Bianca, it was an intimation which caused him not a little disquietude.  Fortunately, the Cardinal possessed an opal, given to him by Pope Sixtus