CHAPTER XXIV

CHAPTER XXIV 1495

Ferrante II. recovers Naples--Siege of Novara by the army of the League--Review of the army by the Duke and Duchess of Milan--Charles VIII. visits Turin and comes to Vercelli--Negotiations for peace-- Lodovico and Beatrice at the camp--Treaty of Vercelli concluded between France and Milan--Jealousy of the other powers--Commines at Vigevano--Zenale's altar-piece in the Brera 277

CHAPTER XXV 1496

The war of Pisa--Venice defends the liberties of Pisa against Florence--Lodovico invites Maximilian to enter Italy and succour the Pisans--The Duke and Duchess of Milan go to meet the emperor at Bormio--Maximilian crosses the Alps and comes to Vigevano--His interview with the Venetian envoys--His expedition to Pisa 287

CHAPTER XXVI 1496

Isabella d'Este joins her husband in Naples--Works of Bramante and Leonardo in the Castello of Milan--The Cenacolo--Lodovico sends for Perugino--His passion for Lucrezia Crivelli--Grief of Beatrice-- Death of Bianca Sforza--The Emperor Maximilian at Pisa--The Duke and Duchess return to Milan--Last days and sudden death of Beatrice d'Este 298