There was no question to any patriotic man of Babbiano that Caesar Borgia meant to invade; he meant to make the tiny nation into a province of his growing empire. And who had the stomach for that? Gian Maria, Babbiano’s playboy Duke, was no match for the crisis. And so when the people of Babbiano foresaw the war they called for Count Aquila. But Aquila was having none of it. I tell you, Fanfulla, that were I at present in my cousin’s shoes, I would cast crown and purple at whomsoever had a fancy for them ere they crushed the life out of me and left me a poor puppet. Sooner than endure that hollow mockery of a life I would become a peasant or a vassal; I would delve the earth and lead a humble life, but lead it in my own way, and thank God for the freedom of it; choose my own comrades; live as I list, where I list; love as I list, where I list, and die when God pleases with the knowledge that my life had not been altogether barren. And that poor girl, Fanfulla! Think of her. She is to be joined in loveless union to such a gross, unfeeling clod as Gian Maria. Have you no pity for her? Fanfulla sighed, his brow clouded. I am not so dull but that I can see why you should reason thus today, said he. These thoughts have come to you since you have seen her. Franceseo sighed deeply. Who knows? he made answer wistfully. In the few moments that we talked together, in the little time that I beheld her, it may be that she dealt me a wound far deeper than the one to which she so mercifully sought to minister.