He, on the other hand, determined to supplant his uncle, and to reunite the whole Visconti principality beneath his own sway.

Craft was the weapon which he chose in this encounter.

Shutting himself up in Pavia, he made no disguise of his physical cowardice, which was real, while he simulated a timidity of spirit wholly alien to his temperament.

He pretended to be absorbed in religious observances, and gradually induced his uncle and cousins to despise him as a poor creature whom they could make short work of when occasion served.

In 1385, having thus prepared the way for treason, he avowed his intention of proceeding on a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Varese.