Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/208

194 the marriage ceremony, in a village near Bologna: and, after some wanderings, they both arrived at Florence, in the house of his father, where Bianca was soon after delivered of a daughter.

At Venice this elopement caused great disturbance. Her family called loudly for vengeance. The new married couple were banished the country, as outlawed robbers; a reward of a thousand ducats was offered, to whoever should bring them to justice; and the accomplices were suffered to die in prison.

Bianca was not ignorant of the severe decree. She was informed, that several banditti had been dispatched to Florence to find her out. Thus situated, the only safety she could hope for, was, from Francesco, the ruler of Tuscany, son of Cosmo; and to him she applied.

She is supposed to have become acquainted with that prince in 1564. The accident which occasioned this connection is uncertain; but it is said, that a disturbance in the street, called her one day to her window, at the very moment when he passed by on horse-back, when her uncommon beauty attracted his attention; and, from that time she kept herself still more confined at home, and even neglected to go to public worship.

She had, however, made a deep impression on the prince, who, by means of a lady, who traced her out, and made acquaintance with her, obtained the means of an interview, as if by chance. She implored his protection. The disposition of her mind had been impaired by the event which had driven her from her country: she had acquired the skill of eluding, by artifice and cunning, the persecutions of her family and the laws. In him she met with a protector, who took her part with spirit.