Her father recalled her to Rome before Christmas, and received her again into his favor as soon as her brother left the city.

Only a few months had passed when Lucretia's soul was again filled with visions of a brilliant future, before which the vague form of the unfortunate Alfonso sank into oblivion.

Her tears dried so quickly that, on the expiration of a year, no one would have recognized in this young and frivolous woman the widow of a trusted consort who had been foully murdered.

From her father Lucretia had inherited, if not inexhaustible vitality, at least the lightness of mind which her contemporaries, under the name of joy of living, discovered in her and in the Pope.
FOOTNOTES: [80] Over the Porta Romana and on the bastions may still be seen the colossal arms of Paul III and those of his son carved in stone.

The inscription reads: P.ALOISIVS FARNESIVS DVX I.CASTRI ET NEPETE MVNIMENTVM HOC AD TVTELAM CIVITATIS EXSTRVXIT.