Having listened in on the conversation between that scoundrel Sior Gandt and the young woman recently arrived on the boat from Naples. Having watched the young woman hurry away towards the Piazza, Devi waited until Sior Gandt had gone into the Taverna, before she hurried after the young Woman.

She found her quickly enough sitting on the stone bench crying.

Signorina, can I speak to you?

Maria Cecilia tries to dry her eyes, looks up and nods a silent hello.

As you wish.

I could not help but overhear your conversation with Sior Gandt.

Oh splendid. someone else to mock me and my circumstances. Very well Signorina, mouth your pious platitudes and then be on your way.

Ohhh no Signorina, you misunderstand me. I want to help you.

I have had enough of people who want to help, grazie. Maria Cecilia replies bitterly. Help, no help it is all the same. Maria Cecilia begins to cough.

I know Sior Gandt as the scoundrel he is. You should not let him get away with this! Are you ill Signorina? Devi asks with concern.

If by ill, you mean with child and nearly ready to deliver, then yes I suppose I am unwell.

Unfortunatelly I cannot help you with that problem, you are too advanced. It is to late for a herbal remedy.

That is not a solution I would have wanted anyway. Maria Cecilia looks shocked. So how do you intend to help? Sell me to a Barbary flesh trader perhaps? Install me as yet another mistress of the Beggar King?

Don't be silly! But you could talk to some people who might force Sir Gandt to do right by you. My "Padrino" is the Conte of Foscari, and he may be able to help you, and he has some influence over Sior Gandt. You should talk to him.

Maria Cecilia remains silent, so Devi continues. But do you really want to marry Sior Gandt? after his treatment of you.

Maria Cecilia shakes her head sadly. Having seen more of what the man truly is...no!

he held more appeal when he was under the influence of the wine and drugs, or perhaps it was that I was under the influence as well and my perceptions were skewed.

He probably drugged you, in order to take advantage of you. He should be made to pay!

Maria Cecilia waves her hand. it was not like that. I am at fault as well.

Devi continues her tirade. So another solution must be found. what would you wish for if you had choices? Devi casually brushes a Mosquito from her hand.

What I would wish is to see this child taken care of in a proper family, not an orphanage as the nuns would have it done. Maria Cecilia answers sadly.

Given that he is not worthy of your hand, make him pay money. Let Sior Gandt be forced to pay for the upkeep of the child. It is always easier to find a good family for a child if there is good sponsorship. Devi continues.

What money? He can't afford a pot to piss in and probably has to do it in other people's flower pots.

That can't be entirely true. I know that he had his hands on a great deal of money when he went to Roma. Also he has rich relations in England.

So you would have me talk to this Conte of yours? Maria Cecilia looks up at Devi.

The Conte knows many people, and has alot of influence. you have nothing to lose in talking to the Conte. Men like Sior Gandt should not be allowed to get away with this sort of thing

Perhaps. Where can I find you?

I am easy to find. I am here on the island. The Conte has rooms in the big Villa on the hill.

Allright. I will talk to this Conte tomorrow. Tonight I am too tired to do anything more. I must return to my lodgings and rest.

You do look rather pale. Devi observes, scratching at her wrist. Well if I can do anything more to help you let me know.

What is your name?

I am called Devi.

I am Maria.