Had not Violante resisted the seductions of all Rome, and repelled the advances even of the Duke of Guise?
At last she contrived to introduce him into the bedroom of the Duchess at a moment when Marcello was also there.

The circumstances were not precisely indicative of guilt.

The sun had only just gone down behind the hills; a maid was in attendance; and the Duchess lay in bed, penciling some memoranda.

Yet they were sufficient to arouse the Duke's anger.

He disarmed Marcello and removed him to the prisons of Soriano, leaving Violante under strict guard at Gallese.
The Duke of Palliano had no intention of proclaiming his jealousy or of suggesting his dishonor, until he had extracted complete proof.