But this action of his is very displeasing to the Pope, who does not look kindly on a crusade by a Roman army against a Christian nation.
Accordingly he has forbidden Durando to cross the Po.

If now the general disobeys, all those whose powerful favour your client at present enjoys will lose their influence; and should he suffer defeat beyond the Po, as he well may, your client's enemies could hardly fail to gain the upper hand.

You will do wisely, therefore, to press an issue before it is too late.'" "But is it possible that I should be made to suffer for a defeat on the battle-field ?" asked Blanka.
"H'm! _Quidquid delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi_," returned the advocate, sententiously; and he hurried away without explaining that the quotation meant,--Whenever kings fall to quarrelling, the common people suffer for it.

Such was the old Greek usage.
Blanka was thus left to find her way to the Colosseum with Madam Dormandy, under the guidance of an abbot, whom they had secured as cicerone; and, while the reverend father entertained the young widow with a historical lecture, the princess seated herself at the foot of the cross that stands in the middle of the arena, and sought to sketch the view before her.

But her success was poor; she was conscious of failure with every fresh attempt.