Argalia had never before faced a Medici duke in his pomp

Argalia had never before faced a Medici duke in his pomp. However, when Giuliano de' Medici rode into his encampment that night, with a hood over his head for secrecy, Argalia understood at once that the new ruler of Florence was a weakling, and so was that young nephew of his, riding by his side. Pope Leo was known to be a man of power, a Medici of the old school, inheritor of the authority of Lorenzo the Magnificent. How concerned he must be to have entrusted Florence to the care of these second-raters.

S. Rushdie, The Enchantress of Florence (2008), 332-3

Hamida Bado was not attracted to the concept of doubt

Hamida Bado, a fierce, commanding woman, was not attracted to the concept of doubt. It was her opinion that she knew what was what, had been brought up to know it, and it was her duty to convey that information to everyone as clearly as possible.

S. Rushdie, The Enchantress of Florence (2008), 131