Nothing passed between them that exceeded the limits of respectful courtship.

But the situation became irksome to a lover so hot of blood as Massimiliano was.

On the evening of June 5, in 1593, his men attacked Lelio Buonvisi, while returning with Lucrezia from prayers in an adjacent church.

Lelio fell, stabbed with nineteen thrusts of the poignard, and was carried lifeless to his house.

Lucrezia made her way back alone; and when her husband's corpse was brought into the palace, she requested that it should be laid out in the basement.