This flung Bentivogli into positive terror, as he interpreted the request as a threat of invasion.

Castel Bolognese was too valuable a stronghold to be so lightly placed in the duke's hands.

Thence Bentivogli might, in case of need, hold the duke in check, the fortress commanding, as it did, the road from Imola to Faenza.
He had the good sense, however, to compromise the matter by returning Cesare an offer of accommodation for his men with victuals, artillery, etc., but without the concession of Castel Bolognese.

With this Cesare was forced to be content, there being no reasonable grounds upon which he could decline so generous an offer.

It was a cunning concession on Bentivogli's part, for, without strengthening the duke's position, it yet gave the latter what he ostensibly required, and left no cause for grievance and no grounds upon which to molest Bologna.