There was no justice in the rigor with which Florence was now treated.

Her republican independence had hitherto been recognized, although her own internal discords exposed her to a virtual despotism.

But Clement stipulated and Charles conceded, as a _sine qua non_ in the project of pacification, that Florence should be converted into a Medicean duchy.

For the Duke of Ferrara, whom the Pope regarded as a contumacious vassal, and whose affairs were still the subject of debate, a place was specially reserved in the treaty.

He, as I have already observed, had been taken under the Imperial protection; and a satisfactory settlement of his claims was now a mere question of time.
On the evening of the same day, the Pope bestowed on Charles the Sword of the Spirit, which it was the wont of Rome to confer on the best-beloved of her secular sons at this festival.