accept the Cardinal's red hat and
privileges from the hands of Pope Gregory XIII. So constantly were
natural human instincts dulled by the contrariety of fashion in those
degenerate days!

Of Virginia's marriage Torquato Tasso, the Grand Duchess Bianca's
enamoured poet-laureate, sang:

"Cio che morte rallenta
Amore restringa!"

Virginia died in 1615--some said she was poisoned by her husband--the
last of a degraded race. _Sic transit gloria Medici!_

The ceremonial of the nuptials was as splendid as a sumptuous Court
could make it, and as became the union of a princess of the House of
Medici with an ambitious foreign Sovereign. But whilst men and women
gossiped delightedly about the charms of the beauteous young bride and
the gallant bearing of the groom, every tongue expressed wonderment at
the gracious, stately figure of the Lady Cammilla. The chorus of popular
applause was hushed, however, when the pathos of her story struck
sorrowful chords in every heart.

Upon the obverse of the medals struck for the Duke Cosimo for their
wedding, twelve years before, the Signora is represented as a
finely-developed woman, with the proud profile of a true daughter of
Florence, a high brow, a shapely nose, full cheeks, and a dimpled chin.
Her attire is rich, she wears costly jewels, and her hair is tastefully
coiffured.

What Cammilla's feelings were, she only knew, and she told them to no
one; she bore herself loftily, and made no one her confidante. After the
solemnity and festivities she betook herself once more--she had no other
choice--to her convent prison, the poorer for the loss of her cherished
child, the richer in the estimation of all good people.

Henceforth, her inclusion among the Religious was to be more rigorous,
and she never expected to be seen again in Florence: dolorous indeed
must have been that parting with the world she loved, but so little
knew. She viewed the coming years with apprehension and hopelessness.
She had not reached the measure of her destiny, but for that,
mercifully, she had not very long to wait, and yet there was to be
another slight rift in the clouds of misery.

From time to time Cammilla had suffered from fainting fits and attacks
of hysteria, but after her separation from Virginia, these increased
greatly in frequency and intensity. Skilful medical treatment was of no
avail, and at length her doctors appealed to the Grand Duke for some
relaxation of her imprisonment. Freedom fr