eck was a heavy chain of pearls
with a ruby pendant. Refreshments were served, and Lucretia distributed
small gifts--the work of Roman jewelers--among those present. The
princes departed highly pleased with their reception. "This much I
know," wrote El Prete, "that the eyes of Cardinal Ippolito sparkled, as
much as to say, She is an enchanting and exceedingly gracious lady."

The cardinal likewise wrote the same evening to his sister Isabella of
Mantua to satisfy her curiosity regarding Lucretia's costume. Dress was
then an important matter in the eyes of a court; in fact there never was
a time when women's costumes were richer and more carefully studied than
they were during the Renaissance. The Marchioness had sent an agent to
Rome apparently for the sole purpose of giving her an account of the
bridal festivities, and she had directed him to pay special attention to
the dresses. El Prete carried out his instructions as conscientiously as
a reporter for a daily paper would now do.[132] From his description an
artist could paint a good portrait of the bride.

The same evening the Ferrarese ambassadors paid their official visit to
Donna Lucretia, and they promptly wrote the duke regarding the
impression his daughter-in-law had made upon them.

ILLUSTRIOUS MASTER: To-day after supper Don Gerardo
Saraceni and I betook ourselves to the illustrious Madonna
Lucretia, to pay our respects in the name of your Excellency and
his Majesty Don Alfonso. We had a long conversation regarding
various matters. She is a most intelligent and lovely, and also
exceedingly gracious lady. Your Excellency and the illustrious Don
Alfonso--so we were led to conclude--will be highly pleased with
her. Besides being extremely graceful in every way, she is modest,
lovable, and decorous. Moreover, she is a devout and God-fearing
Christian. To-morrow she is going to confession, and during
Christmas week she will receive the communion. She is very
beautiful, but her charm of manner is still more striking. In
short, her character is such that it is impossible to suspect
anything "sinister" of her; but, on the contrary, we look for only
the best. It seems to be our duty to tell you the exact truth in
this letter. I commend myself to your Highness's merciful
benevolence. Rome, December 23, 1501, the sixth hour of the night.

Your Excellency's servant,
JOHANNES LUCA