"Why, is he not the Pope's son, and is not that claim enough ?" "The Pope's son!" I exclaimed.

"But how is it possible that the Holy Father should have a son ?" "How is it possible ?" he echoed mockingly.

"Why, I will tell you, sir.
When our present Holy Father went as Cardinal-legate to the Mark of Ancona, he met there a certain lady whose name was Lola, who pleased him, and who was pleased with him.

Alessandro Farnese was a handsome man, Ser Agostino.

She bore him three children, of whom one is dead, another is Madonna Costanza, who is wed to Sforza of Santafiora, and the third--who really happens to have been the first-born--is Messer Pier Luigi, present Duke of Castro and future Duke of Piacenza." It was some time ere I could speak.
"But his vows, then ?" I exclaimed at last.
"Ah! His vows!" said the Cardinal-legate.