CHAPTER X

The enemies of the Borgia pour into Rome--Fears of the Sacred College--Orsini and Colonna--The Cardinals and Valentino--Caesar enters into an agreement with France-- The Cardinal d’Amboise--Scheming before the conclave-- Caesar leaves Rome--Return of Giuliano della Rovere-- The conclave--Election of Francesco Piccolomini to the Papacy--The new Pope supports Caesar--Valentino’s fortunes ebb--Death of Pius III.--Machinations preparatory to electing his successor 242