nly two were rated as serious; and even these, with
a month's careful nursing, in my opinion, would be healed.

"He was placed in the living quarters of the owner of the castle and
orders were issued that he should be cared for as a member of the
family. In fact, dire punishment was promised the thoroughly frightened
owner if he was not given the most careful treatment and nursing. He was
even told that the lives of the inmates and the release of the castle
depended upon the complete recovery of his patient.

"The result was that Lorenzo received the most solicitous attention from
the wife and daughter of the owner. Throughout the day one sat
constantly by his bedside and in time both grew quite fond of their
patient, regarding him as a most important personage, since such
particular orders had been issued for his care. Lorenzo and his fair
nurse, the daughter, became lovers, and several months later were
married.

"Everything having turned out to the complete satisfaction of Sir
John--there being no longer an enemy to fight and the campaign
practically ended--I made application for and was given leave to return
home.

* * * * *

"Upon arrival in Florence I found the city torn asunder by jealousy and
dissention. Such government as existed was one of gabble. All recognized
and appreciated that a fiercer contest than the one just happily closed
was impending.

"Criticism of the conduct of the war and the nature of the peace to be
made appeared the principal issues but the real issue was factional
rule. Though the five war commissioners, with the assistance of Sir
John, had carried through the war without the loss of a single battle
and had driven the Pope's legate from Tuscan territory, the campaign had
not been conducted in accordance with the great courage and generalship
of the stay-at-homes of the other faction.

"All this I perceived with great sadness, since I now claimed to be a
citizen of Florence, and upon the enforcement of law and order depended
the safety of my wife and property.

"During my imprisonment and absence, I had, reflectively at least,
become a personage of importance; as my brother-in-law, Silvestro de
Medici, was the head of the Ricci, or anti-Guelph faction, now in power.
It was, therefore, incumbent upon me, when I moved about the city, to be
attended by a squire and even a small guard of troopers. Next to Sir
John, I was considered the most important mil