DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42861#0282
242 THE MARQUIS IN FRANCE
ignorant of his fate, and Sigismondo Gonzaga, who
hastened to Venice and tried to comfort her, gave
Isabella a piteous account of her sorrow and anxiety.
Meanwhile, Francesco Gonzaga had started for
France on the 6th of October, as Isabella informed
the Duchess, on the invitation of King Louis, who
wished to consult him on Italian affairs and hoped to
secure his help against the Spaniards. He had pro-
mised his wife that he would be at home for Christ-
mas, and Isabella’s letters show how eagerly his
return was expected.
“ After I sent my last letter,” she writes on the
2nd of December, “ Federico wished to have supper
with me, which he did with the most charming grace
in the world, and afterwards, as he was at play with
ten gold ducats before him, I made some one knock
at the door and pretend that a poor beggar was
asking for alms. Upon which he took up a ducat at
once, and without any prompting, desired the money
to be given him, saying: ‘ Tell him to pray to God
for me and also for my P«.’ This delighted all who
were present. I hope this childish inspiration will
have the effect of soon bringing you home, where
your presence is eagerly desired.”1
But Louis XII. insisted on taking the Marquis
to spend Christmas in his chateau at Loches, and
eventually kept him at his court until the end of
January. Both the King and Queen treated Fran-
cesco with marked courtesy, and Anne of Brittany
renewed an offer which she had formerly made to
educate his daughter Leonora at her court and many
her to a prince of the blood-royal. This plan was
eventually abandoned, but at one time it seems to
1 Luzio, Precettori, p. 38.
ignorant of his fate, and Sigismondo Gonzaga, who
hastened to Venice and tried to comfort her, gave
Isabella a piteous account of her sorrow and anxiety.
Meanwhile, Francesco Gonzaga had started for
France on the 6th of October, as Isabella informed
the Duchess, on the invitation of King Louis, who
wished to consult him on Italian affairs and hoped to
secure his help against the Spaniards. He had pro-
mised his wife that he would be at home for Christ-
mas, and Isabella’s letters show how eagerly his
return was expected.
“ After I sent my last letter,” she writes on the
2nd of December, “ Federico wished to have supper
with me, which he did with the most charming grace
in the world, and afterwards, as he was at play with
ten gold ducats before him, I made some one knock
at the door and pretend that a poor beggar was
asking for alms. Upon which he took up a ducat at
once, and without any prompting, desired the money
to be given him, saying: ‘ Tell him to pray to God
for me and also for my P«.’ This delighted all who
were present. I hope this childish inspiration will
have the effect of soon bringing you home, where
your presence is eagerly desired.”1
But Louis XII. insisted on taking the Marquis
to spend Christmas in his chateau at Loches, and
eventually kept him at his court until the end of
January. Both the King and Queen treated Fran-
cesco with marked courtesy, and Anne of Brittany
renewed an offer which she had formerly made to
educate his daughter Leonora at her court and many
her to a prince of the blood-royal. This plan was
eventually abandoned, but at one time it seems to
1 Luzio, Precettori, p. 38.