prison at last, in time to attend this
Conclave.

None of these three factions was strong enough to ensure the election
of its own candidate, but any two were strong enough to prevent the
election of the candidate of the third. Wherefore it happened that, as
a result of so much jealousy and competition, recourse was had to
temporizing by electing the oldest and feeblest cardinal in the College.
Thus there should presently be another election, and meantime the
candidates would improve the time by making their arrangements and
canvassing their supporters so as to control the votes of the College at
that future Conclave. Therefore Francesco Piccolomini, Cardinal of
Siena (nephew of Pius II), a feeble octogenarian, tormented by an ulcer,
which, in conjunction with an incompetent physician, was to cut his life
even shorter than they hoped, was placed upon the throne of St. Peter,
and assumed with the Pontificate the name of Pius III.

The new Pope was entirely favourable to Cesare Borgia, and confirmed him
in all his offices, signifying his displeasure to Venice at her attempt
upon the Romagna, and issuing briefs to the allied tyrants commanding
them to desist from their opposition to the will of the Holy See.

Cesare returned to Rome, still weak on his legs and ghastly to behold,
and on October 6 he received in St. Peter's his confirmation as
Captain-General and Gonfalonier of the Church.

The Venetians had meanwhile been checked by a letter from Louis from
lending further assistance to the allies. The latter, however, continued
their hostilities in spite of that. They had captured Sinigaglia, and
now they made an attempt on Fano and Fermo, but were repulsed in both
places by Cesare's loyal subjects. At the same time the Ordelaffi--who
in the old days had been deposed from the Tyranny of Forli to make room
for the Riarii--deemed the opportunity a good one to attempt to regain
their lordship; but their attempt, too, was frustrated.

Cesare sat impotent in Rome, no doubt vexed by his own inaction. He
cannot have lacked the will to go to the Romagna to support the subjects
who showed him such loyalty; but he lacked the means. Owing to the
French and Spanish dispute in Naples, his army had practically melted
away. The terms of his treaty with Louis compelled him to send the
bulk of it to the camp at Garigliano to support the French, who were in
trouble. The force that Remolino had quartered at Orvieto to await the
duke's o