virtual ruler of the State in the personal
direction of his two young nephews. A deputation was accordingly chosen
to convey to Domina Lucrezia and her sons the condolences of the city,
and to offer to Lorenzo the coveted Headship of the State.

At noon on the following day the deputation was honourably received at
the Medici Palace. "The principal men of the State and of the City,"
wrote Lorenzo in his _Ricordi_, "came to our house to condole with us in
our bereavement, and to offer me the direction of the Government in
succession to my grandfather and father. I hesitated to accept the high
honour on account of my youth and because of the danger and
responsibility I should incur; and I only consented in order to
safeguard our friends and our property."

A plenary Parliament was summoned by Tommaso Soderini and those
associated with him in the conduct of public affairs during the
interregnum. It was held in the great Council Chamber of the Palazzo
Vecchio, and was attended by a full concourse of senators and other
prominent citizens, deputations from the Guilds, and representatives of
the Minor Orders. In the Piazza della Signoria and the adjoining
streets, was assembled an immense crowd of people, the greater part
being supporters of the Medici.

Inside the Chamber again Messer Tommaso Soderini was unanimously elected
president, and forthwith proceeded to report the result of the
deputation. His speech was repeatedly interrupted by cries that he
should reconsider his decision and accept then and there the Headship of
the State. He again emphatically declined the honour his fellow-citizens
desired to confer upon him, and proclaimed Lorenzo de' Medici _Capo
della Repubblica Fiorentina_.

At a preconcerted signal the arras over the doorway leading to the
private audience chamber was lifted, and there advanced Piero's widow
with her two sons, clothed in the dark habiliments of mourning. Domina
Lucrezia threw back her thick black veil, revealing upon her kindly face
a sorrowful expression and her eyes suffused with tears. Making a lowly
curtsey she drew herself up--a queenly figure--and holding the hands of
Lorenzo and Giuliano, on either side, made her way to where Messer
Tommaso Soderini was standing.

All eyes were bent upon the pathetic little group, and a sympathetic
murmur moved the whole audience. Every man of them had for years
regarded the Domina as the model of what a woman and a wife, a mother
and a queen,