The Duchess took up her abode with her court in the little village of Gallese.

It was here that the episode of her love and tragic end ensued.
Violante found herself almost alone in a simple village among mountains, half-way between Rome and Orvieto, surrounded indeed by lovely forest scenery, but deprived of all the luxuries and entertainments to which she was accustomed.

Marcello and Diana were at her side, the one eager to pursue his hitherto hopeless suit, and the other to further it for her own profit.

One day Marcello committed the apparent imprudence of avowing his passion.

The Duchess rejected him with scorn, but disclosed the fact to Diana, who calculated that if she could contrive to compromise her mistress, she might herself be able to secure the end she had in view of marrying Domiziano.