yourselves to conform to the will of our Lord God, and be comforted. And we pray you to do thus, and to regard the welfare of this city and of our state as recommended to you, to which effect we firmly rely upon you. And by help of God's grace and the good advices of our said lord and father, with the counsel and aid of worthy friends, and our own right intentions, matters will go on well and to your satisfaction. If we have been [tardy] in advising you of these things, do not be astonished, as this was done advisedly and for good purpose. "ODDANTONIO, COUNT OF MONTEFELTRO, URBINO, AND DURANTE. "Urbino, the 24th February, 1443." It does not distinctly appear whether the dignity of Duke was merely personal, or limited to the heirs male of Oddantonio's body. At all events it must have lapsed on his death, as it was not only dropped by his successor in the state, but Count Federigo, even after his new creation, called himself "first" Duke; in this he was followed by his descendants down to Francesco Maria II., the last of the race, who alone designated himself sixth Duke, counting from Oddantonio.[*54] [Footnote *54: Oddantonio seems to have strongly disliked Federigo, his father's natural son. He would not suffer him to live at Urbino. The Duke was to have married Cecilia Gonzaga, but preferred at the last moment Isotta d'Este, thinking she would be more likely to give him an heir and so exclude Federigo. See TARDUCCI, _Cecilia Gonzaga ed Oddantonio di Montefeltro_ (Mantova, 1897). Violante, Federigo's half-sister, renounced her part of the heritage of her father in documents preserved in Arch. Centrale di Firenze (Carte d'Urbino, Cartapecore Laiche, Nos. 180 and 209), printed by MADIAI in _Le Marche_, vol. III., pp. 125-32.] BOOK SECOND OF FEDERIGO DI MONTEFELTRO, COUNT AND SECOND DUKE OF URBINO CHAPTER IV The birth of Count Federigo--Condition of Italy--His marriage and only military service--The Malatesta, his inveterate foes--He takes S. Leo--Is invested with Mercatello.