Pity that the negotiations came to naught!" "But why did they come to naught?
Body of Satan!--why ?" roared the impetuous Ferrabraccio, as with his mighty fist he smote the table a blow that well-nigh shattered it.

"Because Gian Maria was not in a marrying mood! The girl we proposed to him was beautiful as an angel; but he would not so much as look.

There was a woman in Babbiano who----" "My lord," cut in Fabrizio hastily, fearing the lengths to which the other might go, "it is as Ferrabraccio says.

His Highness would not marry.

And this it is has led us to invite you to meet us here to-night.
His Highness will do nothing to save the Duchy, and so we turn to you.
The people are with us; in every street of Babbiano are you spoken of openly as the duke they would have govern them and defend their homes.
In the sacred name of the people, then," the old man concluded, rising, and speaking in a voice shaken by emotion, "and with the people's voice, of which we are but the mouthpiece, we now offer you the crown of Babbiano.