ITALIAN GARDENS OF THE RENAISSANCE 
her marriage, and was carefully nursed and watched 
oyer by the Court-doctor, daily reports of her condition 
being sent to the Duke and Duchess, who had gone off 
hurriedly to meet the Emperor at Bormio, in the 
mountains of the Valtellina. 
Bianca herself felt the keenest interest in this 
memorable meeting, which took place on the 29th 
of July, in the ancient Abbey of Mals, at the foot 
of what the Italian historian calls the crudelissime 
montagne of Tyrol. She sent Seregno to beg the 
nuns of the Monastero Maggiore to thank God for 
the success which had crowned her father’s journey, 
and as soon as she could leave her bed went to 
pay her vows at Our Lady’s shrine. But even this 
slight exertion proved beyond her strength, and she 
was once more confined to bed. The little Count 
of Pavia was untiring in attendance at his sister’s 
bedside, giving her medicine with his own hands, and 
cheering her with his childish prattle. 
Meanwhile the Emperor had once more crossed 
the Alps, promising to return shortly, and the Duke 
and Duchess hastened back to Milan, to keep the feast 
of the glorious martyr, St. Laurence, on the 10th 
of August. Galeazzo and Bianca both accompanied 
them the following week to Vigevano, and helped in 
the preparations that were being made for Maximilian’s 
reception. He arrived on the 2nd of September, and 
186 
