Not understanding what this disorder could mean, he rushed into the house and through several deserted and wrecked apartments.

At last, seeing light in one of the rooms, he went in, and there found his mother sitting on the remains of a chest made of ebony all inlaid with ivory and silver.

When she saw Caesar, she rose, pale and dishevelled, and pointing to the desolation around her, exclaimed: "Look, Caesar; behold the work of your new friends." "But what does it mean, mother ?" asked the cardinal.

"Whence comes all this disorder ?" "From the serpent," replied Rosa Vanozza, gnashing her teeth,--"from the serpent you have warmed in your bosom.

He has bitten me, fearing no doubt that his teeth would be broken on you." "Who has done this ?" cried Caesar.