1501.[102]

He immediately despatched Cardinal Ferrari to Ercole with the contract,
whereupon Don Ramiro Remolini and other proxies hastened to
Ferrara,[103] where, in the castle of Belfiore, the nuptial contract was
concluded _ad verba_, September 1, 1501.

On the same day the duke wrote Lucretia, saying that, while he hitherto
had loved her on account of her virtues and on account of the Pope and
her brother Caesar, he now loved her more as a daughter. In the same tone
he wrote to Alexander himself, informing him that the betrothal had
taken place, and thanking him for bestowing the dignity of Archpriest of
S. Peter's on his son, Cardinal Ippolito.[104]

Less diplomatic was Ercole's letter to the Marchese Gonzaga informing
him of the event. It clearly shows what was his real opinion, and he
tries to excuse himself for consenting by saying he was forced to take
the step.

ILLUSTRIOUS SIR AND DEAREST BROTHER: We have informed your
Majesty that we have recently decided--owing to practical
considerations--to consent to an alliance between our house and
that of his Holiness--the marriage of our eldest son, Alfonso, and
the illustrious lady Lucretia Borgia, sister of the illustrious
Duke of Romagna and Valentinois, chiefly because we were urged to
consent by his Most Christian Majesty, and on condition that his
Holiness would agree to everything stipulated in the marriage
contract. Subsequently his Holiness and ourselves came to an
agreement, and the Most Christian King persistently urged us to
execute the contract. This was done to-day in God's name, and with
the assistance of the (French) ambassador and the proxies of his
Holiness, who were present; and it was also published this morning.
I hasten to inform your Majesty of the event because our mutual
relations and love require that you should be made acquainted with
everything which concerns us--and so we offer ourselves to do your
pleasure.

FERRARA, _September 2, 1501_.[105]

September 4th a courier brought the news that the nuptial contract had
been signed in Ferrara. Alexander immediately had the Vatican
illuminated and the cannon of Castle S. Angelo announce the glad
tidings. All Rome resounded with the jubilations of the retainers of the
house of Borgia.

This moment was the turning point in Lucretia's life. If her soul
harbored any ambition and yearning for worldly g