Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/207

Rh king of Spain, and other princes. She brought her art even to taking portraits from the life, flourished about 1590. Absc. Pitt.

to the customs of her country Bianca spent the earlier days of her youth, remote from all society but that of her relations, in the palace of her father, Bartolomeo Capello. She, however, attracted the notice of a young Florentine, who was clerk at an opposite merchant's counting-house, called Pietro Buonavventuri, youth of low parents, handsome in his person, amiable in his manners, of unbounded ambition, and fond of intrigue. This natural bent of his mind, which had repeatedly involved him in many a hazardous situation, prompted him to court the affections of Bianca. He got acquainted with her as she went to mass, attended by her maid. On this occasion, he thought proper to give himself out for a partner in the house of Salviati, in which he served; and Bianca, dazzled by exterior appearance, eagerly listened to his tale. She drew her maid into her interest; and, it was agreed, that they should meet by means of false keys. But the time came, when their intercourse could no longer be concealed; and Bianca seeing no other means of safety, yielded to the request of her lover, purloined a set of jewels from her father, and left Venice.

On this journey, Buonavventuri first informed her of his real situation in life, and she saw herself compelled to make him a tender of her hand. A priest formed