The latter, unable to hide the pleasure she felt, had now great hopes of becoming his wife. He had given her his promise upon oath, and Don Antonio passed, at least with the people, as his son. A circumstance which raised her expectations still more was, that he refused to listen to the proposals of a marriage with the daughter of another sovereign prince. But, on the other hand, if he married the person who was publicly looked upon as the cause of all the mortifications his departed consort had experienced, he must dread the displeasure of the house of Austria, whose support was necessary for the support of his ambitious views. His best ministers and the ecclesiastics, attending his court, advised him to give up every connection with her; and he himself was unsteady in his resolutions.
He consulted his ministers and his confessor; and even took a tour to accomplish the victor over his feelings. She saw how much she had to fear, and frequently wrote to him, varying her style according to the circumstances. Sometimes she would entreat him in the most solemn manner not to withdraw his word; then appear to resign herself to her destiny and leave Florence. She actually prepared for her departure, which, however, was delayed till the return of Francesco. Her agents were continually busied with representations in her favour; and, when the grand-duke was sufficiently prepared, she unexpectedly paid him a visit. This was more than his resolution could withstand. He resumed the wonted course of his visits, and at last prepared an apartment for her in the ducal palace.
At this time he fell ill. Her tender attention, and the care she took of him till his recovery, endeared her more
