Still of Poggio a Caiano he had unpleasing memories, for there he met
Giovanna of Austria, and had the first taste of her ill-humour as he
rode by her side at her scornful entry into Florence, twelve years
before. But Bianca had wrought a vast change in his disposition and
environment. She had interwoven fancy and reality, and Francesco was now
serenely happy. Often did he sing tender madrigals as they together
sauntered in the woods and indulged in pastoral pursuits.

"Sing! sing! ye birds I am wide awake
Tho' silent 'mid your tender harmony;
And yet I would fain join your sweet concert,
Whilst upon the face of fair Bianca,
'Mirror of Love'--I fix my yearning eyes."

The Cardinal was one of this particular hunting party--indeed, the hunt
had been arranged entirely in his honour, and he expressed himself as
charmed with everything--and especially with the Grand Duchess. This was
his first State visit to his brother's Court and his affability knew no
bounds. Bianca, on her part, laid herself out to entertain her
brother-in-law, and made herself especially attractive and gracious. The
presence of the Archbishop of Florence added greatly to her satisfaction
and Francesco's. Very wisely, young Antonio was sent to Pratolino with
his governor and tutors, and in the merry company no personality could,
in any way, recall unhappy incidents of the past. The days were passed
in the exhilaration of sport, and the evening repasts were followed by
animated conversation, ballets, music and recitations. All the brightest
ornaments of the Court were present at the Grand Duchess' behest.

Bianca, herself, in the highest spirits, dressed, sang, and danced,
bewitchingly. The frolics of the Orte Oricellari were transferred to the
delightful hunting-box, and everybody and everything was as gay as gay
could be, and no one troubled about the morrow.

Alas, when the merriment was at its height, a sudden stop was put to all
the festivities, for, during the night of 8th October, the Grand Duke
was taken ill with severe spasms and violent sickness. The Grand Duchess
was summoned to his side, and full of alarm and devotion, she at once
despatched a mounted messenger into Florence to command the attendance
of the Court physicians--Messeri Giulio Agnolo da Barga and Ferdinando
Cino da Roma.

They assured her that their princely patient was merely suffering from
an error in diet--the dish of mushrooms, of which he had partaken freely
overnig