"My father has bribed the bishop who examines it: to-morrow is a feast-day; to the Cardinals Orsini, Colonna, Savelli, Sant’ Angelo, and the Cardinals of Parma and of Genoa, chickens will be sent for hot meat, and each chicken will contain a deed of gift duly drawn up, made by me in my father’s name, of the houses, palaces, or churches which are destined for each." "Capital!" said the elder of the two women; "now, I am certain, all will go well." "And by the grace of God," added the younger, with a strangely mocking smile, "our father will be pope." "Oh, it will be a fine day for us!" cried Francesco. "And for Christendom," replied his sister, with a still more ironical expression. "Lucrezia, Lucrezia," said the mother, "you do not deserve the happiness which is coming to us." "What does that matter, if it comes all the same? Besides, you know the proverb; mother: ’Large families are blessed of the Lord’; and still more so our family, which is so patriarchal." At the same time she cast on her brother a look so wanton that the young man blushed under it: but as at the moment he had to think of other things than his illicit loves, he ordered that four servants should be awakened; and while they were getting armed to accompany him, he drew up and signed the six deeds of gift which were to be carried the next day to the cardinals; for, not wishing to be seen at their houses, he thought he would profit by the night-time to carry them himself to certain persons in his confidence who would have them passed in, as had been arranged, at the dinner-hour. Then, when the deeds were quite ready and the servants also, Francesco went out with them, leaving the two women to dream golden dreams of their future greatness.