his two successors took counsel
with the Strozzi and other influential men in and beyond Florence, and
called to their aid the four Florentine Cardinals, Salviati, Gaddi,
Pucci, and Ridolfi. Paul III.--naturally anxious to have a finger in the
pie--despatched Roberto negli Strozzi with fifteen hundred mounted men
to hold Montepulciano, and at the same time directed the Cardinals to
join him there. The Papal nominee was Giuliano, younger brother of
Lorenzino, the Duke's murderer--an entirely impossible choice.

Madonna Maria de' Medici was at her father's villa at Trebbio, but at
once she despatched couriers to hasten her son's return from Bologna,
whither he had gone for study and for pleasure. She invited Cibo and
Guicciardini to meet him, and to take counsel with her concerning his
claims on Florence. Instructed by his astute mother, the young man paid
great court to the two visitors, and charmed them exceedingly. The
Cardinal was at once converted to the Madonna's views. Both he and
Messer Guicciardini were struck by Cosimo's appearance--tall, well-made,
and good-looking, he had a manly carriage, and his assured yet courteous
manner left nothing to be desired.

On the three councillors' return to Florence, they were met by Senor
Ferrante de Silva, Conte de Cifuentes, the Spanish ambassador, who was
commanded by his master to support the candidature of Cosimo de' Medici.

The Emperor, Charles V., moreover, sent Bernardino da Rieti as special
envoy, to enforce his views upon the "Forty-eight," and with him went a
force of two thousand Spanish troops from Lerici--where they were in
garrison, partly with a view to overawe the Council, and partly for the
protection of the widowed Duchess Margaret. It was concurrently reported
that the Emperor had another project in view, namely to marry his
daughter to young Cosimo. At any rate, Margaret was directed to remain
in Florence and at the Medici Palace.

Conferences were held daily, both in the Medici Palace and in the
Palazzo Vecchio. To Francesco de' Guicciardini was committed the duty of
formally proposing Cosimo--commonly called "Cosimonino"--as Head of the
State. At once Palla de' Rucellai rose in opposition, but his party in
the Council was in the minority. The deliberations were disturbed by the
entrance of the French ambassador, who came to press upon their
lordships' attention the claims of little Duchess Caterina, Duke
Lorenzo's only legitimate child. The propositi