Will you not come to them ?" If for a moment Francesco hesitated, it was rather in consideration of the manner in which the crown was offered than in consequence of any allurement that the offer may have had for him.

Once--that night at Sant' Angelo--he had known temptation, and for a moment had listened to the seductions in the voice that invited him to power.

But not so now.
A thought he gave to the people who had such faith in him, and showered upon him such admiring love, and whom, as a matter of reciprocity, he wished well, and would have served in any capacity but this.

He shook his head, and with a smile of regret declined the offer.
"Have patience, old friend," he added.

"I am not of the stuff that goes to make good princes, although you think it.