Clement regarded Alfonso as a contumacious vassal, although his own right to that province only rested on the force of arms by which Julius II.

had detached it from the Duchy of Ferrara.

It was therefore somewhat difficult for Charles to accept the duke's hospitality.

But when he had once done so, Alfonso knew how to ingratiate himself so well with the arbiter of Italy, that on taking leave of his guest upon the confines of Bologna, he had already secured the success of his own cause.
Great preparations, meanwhile, were being made in Bologna.

The misery and destitution of the country rendered money scarce, and cast a gloom over the people.