ple,
when Alessandro found that his master was one who, being ignorant
himself, was jealous of the talents displayed by others. Great interest
had alone procured the envoy the post which he held as negotiator
plenipotentiary with the Ottoman Porte, on behalf of the Republic of
Florence; and the Turkish reis-effendi, or minister of foreign affairs,
soon perceived that the Christian embassador was quite incompetent to
enter into the intricacies of treaties and the complex machinery of
diplomacy. But suddenly the official notes which the envoy addressed to
the reis-effendi began to exhibit a sagacity and an evidence of
far-sighted policy which contrasted strongly with the imbecility which
had previously characterized those communications. It was at that period
a part of the policy of the Ottoman Port to maintain spies in the
household of all the foreign embassadors residing in Constantinople; and
through this agency the reis-effendi discovered that the Florentine
envoy had condescended to avail himself of the brilliant talents of his
secretary, Alessandro Francatelli, to infuse spirit into his official
notes.

The reis-effendi was himself a shrewd and sagacious man; and he
recognized in the abilities evinced by the youthful secretary, those
elements which, if properly developed, would form a great politician.
The Turkish Minister accordingly resolved to leave no stone unturned, in
order to entice so promising an individual into the service of the
sultan. To accomplish this object indirect means were at first
attempted; and the secret agents of the minister sounded Alessandro upon
the subject. He listened to them at first in silence, but not
unwillingly. They grew bolder, and their speech became more open. He
encouraged them to lay bare their aims; and they hinted to him how
glorious a career might be opened to him were he to enter the service of
the high and mighty sultan, Solyman the Magnificent, who then sat upon
the proud throne of the Ottoman Empire.

The more attentively Alessandro listened, the less reserved became those
who were instructed to undermine his fidelity toward his master, the
Florentine Envoy. They represented to him how Christians, who had
abjured their creed and embraced the Moslem faith, had risen to the
highest offices, even to the post of grand vizier, or prime minister of
the empire. Alessandro was completely master of his emotions; he had not
studied for some years in the school of diplomacy wit