Leo leaned back in his chair, his eyes closed, his face changed color and the muscles of his hands and face twitched as if he were in pain.  Suddenly he recovered possession of himself and said, “Ferdinand, you almost paralyze me by the news you bring.  Am I dreaming, or not?”

“No, no, Leo.  This is a copy of the will of our uncle.  The original will is in my safe.  By this same will I am to have 100,000 lira for assisting you.  I am now at your service.”

“Ferdinand, you bring sad and glorious news.  What is your advice?”

“That we file the original will at once in the proper court, and that you proceed with me immediately to Marino to take possession there of your palace and property.”

“Agreed, Ferdinand.  We will leave Rome for Marino at noon tomorrow.  Meet me here, as I may have friends to join us.”

Leo hastened at once to tell the good news to the Harrises, who were nearly as much elated as himself, and it was agreed that all would join Leo in his proposed trip.  It was late that night when Leo and Lucille separated in the parlor below.  Each had dreamed of castles in Spain, but now it looked as if Leo and possibly Lucille, might actually possess castles in Italy.

That night Leo told Lucille much about the princely Colonna family of Italy, which originated in the 11th century.  Pope Martin V., several others who took part in the contest between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, and many others of the Colonna family had attained to historical and literary distinction.

Lucille was interested in the story of the great naval battle of Lepanto in which Marc Antonio Colonna aided Don Juan of Austria to gain a world-renowned victory for Christianity against the Turks, the first effective triumph of the cross over the crescent.  Leo recited the story of the life of the illustrious Vittoria Colonna, pictures of a bust of whom Lucille had seen that day in Rome.

Vittoria, and the son of the Marquis of Pescara, when children four years old, were affianced, and in their seventeenth year they were married.  The young bride bravely sent her husband to the wars with a pavilion, an embroidered standard, and palm leaves, expressing the hope that he would return with honors, for she was proud of the Colonna name.

Vittoria full of genius and grace, idealized her young showy cavalier, who was gallant and chivalrous.  Her brave knight Pescara, among other victories, won the battle of Pavia, and finally died of his wounds in Milan before she could reach his side.  Vittoria Colonna buried her love in Pescara’s grave at Naples.  Her widowhood was a period of sorrow, song, friendship, and saintly life.  She was tall, stately, and dignified; of gracious manners, and united much charm with her culture and virtue.  She is considered the fairest and noblest lady of the Italian Renaissance.

Vittoria Colonna was on intimate terms with the great men and women of her day, and in close sympathy with the Italian reformers.  Michael Angelo was warmly her friend.  His strong verses full of feeling to Vittoria were replied to in gentle, graceful strains.  She died as the sun sank in the Mediterranean on the afternoon of February 25, 1547, Michael Angelo regretting as he saw her, lying on her death-bed, that he had not kissed her forehead and face as he had kissed her hand.