to ruin her family, when the Papacy resolved upon the conquest of Ferrara.

Leonora's health was sickly.

For this reason she refused marriage, living retired in studies, acts of charity, religion, and the company of intellectual men.
Something in her won respect and touched the heart at the same moment; so that the verses in her honor, from whatever pen they flowed, ring with more than merely ceremonial compliment.

The people revered her like a saint; and in times of difficulty she displayed high courage and the gifts of one born to govern.

From the first entrance of Tasso into Ferrara, the sisters took him under their protection.