They were soon released, because it became evident that the chief scandal would fall upon the Cardinal, who had clearly been scuffling and crossing swords in a dispute about a common prostitute.

The three Caraffa brothers resolved on hushing the affair up.

But it was too late.

The Pope heard something, which sufficed to confirm his confessor's warnings; and on January 27, he pronounced the famous sentence on his nephews.

The Cardinal was banished to Civita Lavinia, the Duke to Soriano, the Marquis to Montebello.