Remorse and shame invaded him, especially when news arrived that the mistress, for whom he had risked all, was turning to a dissolute life (as we shall shortly read) in her monastery.

His reason gave way; and, after twenty-two years of wandering, he returned to Lucca and was caught.

Instead of executing the capital sentence which had been pronounced upon him, the Signory consigned him to perpetual prison in the tower of Viareggio, which was then an insalubrious and fever-stricken village on the coast.

Here, walled up in a little room, alone, deprived of light and air and physical decency, he remained forgotten for ten years from 1615 to 1625.

At the latter date report was made that he had refused food for three days and was suffering from a dangerous hemorrhage.