Whether Bracciano was stimulated by the brother's arguments or by the witch's potions need not be too curiously questioned.

But it seems in any case certain that absence inflamed his passion instead of cooling it.
Accordingly, in September 1583, under the excuse of a pilgrimage to Loreto, he contrived to meet Vittoria at Trevi, whence he carried her in triumph to Bracciano.

Here he openly acknowledged her as his wife, installing her with all the splendor due to a sovereign duchess.

On October 10 following, he once more performed the marriage ceremony in the principal church of his fief; and in the January of 1584 he brought her openly to Rome.

This act of contumacy to the Pope, both as feudal superior and as Supreme Pontiff, roused all the former opposition to his marriage.