where the Emperor rode at the tournament in the guise of a Moorish warrior.  At Florence splendid festivities had also been held, which were troubled with omens believed to be highly unfavorable.  It hardly needed, however, preternatural appearances in heaven or on earth to proclaim the marriage ill-starred which united a child of twelve years with a worn-out debauchee of twenty-seven.  Fortunately for Margaret, the funereal portents proved true.  Her husband, within the first year of their wedded life, fell a victim to his own profligacy, and was assassinated by his kinsman, Lorenzino de Medici.  Cosmo, his successor in the tyranny of Florence, was desirous of succeeding to the hand of Margaret, but the politic Emperor, thinking that he had already done enough to conciliate that house, was inclined to bind to his interests the family which now occupied the papal throne.  Margaret was accordingly a few years afterwards united to Ottavio Farnese, nephew of Paul the Third.  It was still her fate to be unequally matched.  Having while still a child been wedded to a man of more than twice her years, she was now, at the age of twenty, united to an immature youth of thirteen.  She conceived so strong an aversion to her new husband, that it became impossible for them to live together in peace.  Ottavio accordingly went to the wars, and in 1541 accompanied the Emperor in his memorable expedition to Barbary.

Rumors of disaster by battle and tempest reaching Europe before the results of the expedition were accurately known, reports that the Emperor had been lost in a storm, and that the young Ottavio had perished with him, awakened remorse in the bosom of Margaret.  It seemed to her that he had been driven forth by domestic inclemency to fall a victim to the elements.  When, however, the truth became known, and it was ascertained that her husband, although still living, was lying dangerously ill in the charge of the Emperor, the repugnance which had been founded upon his extreme youth changed to passionate fondness.  His absence, and his faithful military attendance upon her father, caused a revulsion in her feelings, and awakened her admiration.  When Ottavio, now created Duke of Parma and Piacenza, returned to Rome, he was received by his wife with open arms.  Their union was soon blessed with twins, and but for a certain imperiousness of disposition which Margaret had inherited from her father, and which she was too apt to exercise even upon her husband, the marriage would have been sufficiently fortunate.

Various considerations pointed her out to Philip as a suitable person for the office of Regent, although there seemed some mystery about the appointment which demanded explanation.  It was thought that her birth would make her acceptable to the people; but perhaps, the secret reason with Philip was, that she alone of all other candidates would be amenable to the control of the churchman in whose hand he intended placing the real administration of the provinces.