ITALIAN GARDENS OF THE RENAISSANCE 
laughed with her and sent her friendly messages in 
their letters. Even ecclesiastics as saintly as Sadoleto 
and Contarini were not deterred by her presence 
from visiting the Villa, while the members of Bembo’s 
own family, Gian Matteo and Marcella, showed her 
the liveliest affection. 
Two years after they settled at Padua, Morosina 
gave birth to a boy, Lucilio, who became the apple 
of his father’s eye. In May 1525 a second boy 
named Torquato was born, and three years later a 
girl, who received the classical name of Elena. The 
happiness of his domestic circle satisfied the cravings 
of Bembo’s sensitive nature and filled a void in his 
life. Another inmate of the Villa was Cola Bruno 
—the fidus Achates who followed Bembo from Messina 
and never left him until his death in 1542. Messer 
Cola was indispensable to Bembo, alike as secretary 
and literary adviser, as steward and man of business. 
He wrote his letters, revised his verses, sold his crops 
and wine, superintended the publication of his works 
at Venice, and travelled all over Italy to collect his 
rents and defend his rights. Morosina and her 
children, Marcella and her husband, were equally 
devoted to Cola, and by the will which Bembo 
made in 1536 he appointed this loyal servant to be 
the guardian of his children, with the strict in¬ 
junction never to leave their side, or allow anyone 
142 
