"Guidobaldo has two nieces.

We have sounded him, and we have found him well disposed towards such a marriage as we suggested.

Allied thus to the house of Montefeltro, we should receive not only assistance from Guidobaldo, but also from the lords of Bologna, Perugia, Camerino, and some smaller states whose fortunes are linked already to that of Urbino.

Thus we should present to Cesar Borgia a coalition so strong that he would never dare to bring a lance into our territory." "I heard some talk of it," said Paolo.

"It would have been a wise step indeed.