The idea of a good day’s work did not much take the young man’s fancy: the prospect of a dowry was more attractive. But the dowry Michelangelo made himself responsible for, provided they found for him a niece who was really adaptable and likely to prove a good wife. A match was proposed, but after dragging on for a time the negotiations fell through, to be resumed and to fall through again. The uncle was content to give the nephew a start, and kept himself in the background, though he was all the time setting the bishop of Arezzo at work in the matter. He knew that the distinguished people at Florence were at that time in sore pecuniary straits, a circumstance at which he rejoiced, for it might be expected to help forward his plans. Ere long, however, the bishop of Arezzo offered a girl who was no beggar-maid to be wed for charity. The nephew’s hesitation being at last overcome, he obtained an introduction to the Guicciardini, one of the principal families of Florence, rich in the possession of two daughters. All went so well that the good uncle was soon exchanging excellent letters with the girl’s father. But on the very first occasion when serious business was discussed, the bridegroom elect discovered with dismay that the style of the house, which indicated a respectable fortune, was all a vain show. Old Guicciardini, excellent man, was very careful to avoid a scandal, and there and then offered his would-be son-in-law the daughter of one of his friends the Ridolfi. Kept well posted in these various incidents, Michelangelo at last became rather bewildered; but to him it mattered little whether his nephew espoused the Ridolfi or the Guicciardini provided it was one of the two. Finally, the nephew wedded the fair Ridolfi in April, 1553, and on May 20th he poured out all his satisfaction in a letter to his uncle. Ravished, enchanted, and overflowing with thankfulness, Michelangelo despatched the promised dowry with a present of jewellery. In April of the following year a son made his entrance into the world under the name of Michelangelo Buonarotti; next year another was expected, and a third the year after. Michelangelo signified his approval by a present of 600 golden crowns (about £2000). That was something like a marriage!