His purpose gathered strength from a message that came that evening from Gian Maria, who was by then assured that Gonzaga's plan had failed.

He sent word that, being unwilling to provoke the bloodshed threatened by the reckless madman who called himself Monna Valentina's Provost, he would delay the bombardment, hoping that in the meantime hunger would beget in that rebellious garrison a more submissive mood.
Francesco read the message to Madonna's soldiers, and they received it joyously.

Their confidence in him increased a hundredfold by this proof of the accuracy of his foresight.

They were a gay company at supper in consequence, and gayest of all was Messer Gonzaga, most bravely dressed in a purple suit of taby silk to honour so portentous an occasion.
Francesco was the first to quit the table, craving Monna Valentina's leave to be about some duty that took him to the walls.

She let him go, and afterwards sat pensive, nor heeded now Romeo's light chatter, nor yet the sonnet of Petrarca that presently he sang the company.