"Your lordship knows the difference long existing between us, and, if you judge rightly, you will perceive the fault to lie on your side, not on mine. Patience is no virtue of mine, and so far from appearing disposed to amend them, you daily multiply your errors. Anew have you written calumnies against me to the Court of Rome, and caused ill to be spoken of me. I am determined to bear it no longer, but to show, with my person against yours, that I am a better man than you, for in sooth you are a bad one, and do amiss to affront me. I therefore send to you Signor Giovanni da Sassoferrato, my chancellor, with full authority to inquire as to the duel which by your letter you have already accepted. And although Signor Giovanni holds a public instrument of mandate, I wished to write this letter as of more ample authority, praying that you will accept it: which I feel assured you, as the brave man you avow yourself and ought to be, will do; and that you will thereupon please to send one of your people of weight, informed of your wishes as to the manner, time, and place of our fighting, so that all may be settled. I have said of weight, that he may be qualified to fix upon a place with him whom I shall send, so that we may understand each other. And that this your agent may repair hither in safety with four horses, this letter will be an ample and valid safe conduct for his freely coming, staying, and returning. And in case of your refusal, which I do not believe, I warn you that I shall proceed against you more or less, according to the usual practice, as I may see fit. "SIGISMONDO PODOLFO DI MALATESTA.[74] "Rimini, the 21st of February, 1445." [Footnote 74: _Carteggio inedito d'Artisti_, I., p. 179, from the Archivio di Urbino at Florence, Lettere, filza 104.] This cartel was answered as became a high-spirited knight; but, on reaching the rendezvous under the walls of Pesaro, Federigo was surprised to find his adversary absent. No explanation appears of this failure beyond Sanzi's expressive exclamation,-- "Ah! foul dishonour to the recreant lord!" and Sigismondo, covered with ridicule, was glad to patch up a truce with his cousin Galeazzo.[*75] [Footnote *75: This eloquence is a little stupid. If the _rendezvous_ was "under the walls of Pesaro," already held by Federigo, Sigismondo would have been indeed a fool to go.] CHAPTER V Count Federigo succeeds to Urbino and acquires Fossombrone--His connection with the Sforza family, whereby he incurs excommunication--His campaign in the Maremma--Loses his eye in a tournament.