There shall it be found recorded that she was an exemplary, God-fearing woman; a faithful and honoured wife; a wise, devoted mother; and a princess, beloved and esteemed by her people for her piety, her charity and her wisdom.

If such records as are there to be read by earnest seekers after truth be not sufficient to convince, and to reveal those others whom I have named in the light of their true baseness, then were it idle for me to set up in these pages a passing refutation of the falsehoods which it has grieved me so often to hear repeated.
It was two days later that the Lord Giovanni set out for Rome, obedient to the command he had received.

But before his departure--on the eve of it, to be precise--there arrived at Pesaro a very wonderful and handsome gentleman.

This was the brother of Madonna Paola, the High and Mighty Lord Filippo di Santafior.

He had had a hint in Rome that his connivance at his sister's defiant escape was suspected at the Vatican, and he had wisely determined that his health would thrive better in a northern climate for a while.
A very splendid creature was this Lord Filippo, all shimmering velvet, gleaming jewels, costly furs and glittering gold.