was now at his own door, to be removed to a greater distance. That if
the count were to follow Niccolo, unless at the instigation of some very
pressing necessity, he would find his plan successful, and rejoice in
the adoption of it; but if he were to remain in Lombardy, and allow
Tuscany to shift for herself, the duke would, when too late, see the
imprudence of his conduct, and find that he had lost his territories in
Lombardy and gained nothing in Tuscany. Each party having spoken, it
was determined to wait a few days to see what would result from the
agreement of the Malatesti with Niccolo; whether the Florentines could
avail themselves of Piero Giampagolo, and whether the pope intended to
join the League with all the earnestness he had promised. Not many
days after these resolutions were adopted, it was ascertained that the
Malatesti had made the agreement more from fear than any ill-will toward
the League; that Piero Giampagolo had proceeded with his force toward
Tuscany, and that the pope was more disposed than ever to assist
them. This favorable intelligence dissipated the count's fears, and he
consented to remain in Lombardy, and that Neri Capponi should return
to Florence with a thousand of his own horse, and five hundred from the
other parties. It was further agreed, that if the affairs of Tuscany
should require the count's presence, Neri should write to him, and he
would proceed thither to the exclusion of every other consideration.
Neri arrived at Florence with his forces in April, and Giampagolo joined
them the same day.

In the meantime, Niccolo Piccinino, the affairs of Romagna being
settled, purposed making a descent into Tuscany, and designing to go by
the mountain passes of San Benedetto and the valley of Montone, found
them so well guarded by the contrivance of Niccolo da Pisa, that his
utmost exertions would be useless in that direction. As the Florentines,
upon this sudden attack, were unprovided with troops and officers, they