Well-beloved though he was of his people, between himself and his niece he had made no effort ever to establish relations of affection.

Less than ever did he now seek to prevail by the voice of kinship.

He came in the panoply of war, as a prince to a rebel subject, and in precisely such a tone did he greet her.
"Monna Valentina," he said--seeming entirely to overlook the circumstance that she was his kinswoman--"deeply though this rebellion grieves me, you are not to think that your sex shall gain you any privileges or any clemency.

We will treat you precisely as we would any other rebel subject who acted as you have done." "Highness," she replied, "I solicit no privilege beyond that to which my sex gives me the absolute right, and which has no concern with war and arms.

I allude to the privilege of disposing of myself, my hand and heart, as it shall please me.