Chapter 1

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The Castello of Ferrara--The House of Este--Accession of Duke Ercole I.--His marriage to Leonora of Aragon--Birth of Isabella and Beatrice d'Este--Plot of Niccolo d'Este--Visit of Leonora to Naples--The court of King Ferrante--Betrothal of Beatrice d'Este to Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Bari--And of Isabella d'Este to Francesco Gonzaga 1