The tragedy of the situation is deepened by the French poet, and the end is told.

Unlike Browning, only a few lines sketch the time, its temper, and its art.

It is the depth of the tragedy which De Musset paints, and that alone; and in order to deepen it, Andrea is made a much nobler character than he is in Browning's poem.

The betrayal is also made more complete, more overwhelming.

Lucretia is false to Andrea with his favourite pupil, with Cordiani, to whom he had given all he had, whom he loved almost as much as he loved his wife.