Dawn was the best time to send his messenger birds, and the Conte sort of enjoyed watching the dawn break over a sleeping Sorrentina. There was an atmosphere of peace and tranquility that belied the truth.

The Conte had sent one bird to Luca Mancini, his contact in Roma. In his message he asked Luca to make discreet inquiries about Maria Cecilia Antonnacci, and find out if Sior Gandt was in any way responsible for her Delicate condition. Given the sad conclusion of Maria Cecilia's travels, The Conte also wanted to find out if the family would want her remains to be returned and buried in Roma, or if a burial in the cemetery of Sorrentina would satisfy them, and would they want to lay claim to the child, or were they content to let the inhabitants of Sorrentina to organize a good future for this poor little girl. He was sure that Luca wouldn't fail him.

The second bird carried a message to his daughter Elena.

Somewhere, just outside Paris, Elena was taking advantage of the afternoon Siesta time, to read the letter she had received from her father early that morning.

She made herself comfortable on one of the convenient Chaise Longue on the terrace of the Hotel Biron, where she had been visiting for some weeks, settling herself down in the afternoon sunshine and she began to read........

Sorrentina August 4th, year of our Lord 1784,

My dearest Elena,

I am sending this letter by the fastest of our Pigeons, in the hope that it reaches you before you begin your journey south to join me here in Sorrentina.

Please on no account attempt to come to Sorrentina for the moment. You will be unable to come to the island anyway, as it is under strict quarantine due to an outbreak of the Yellow Fever. Do not even come to the bay of Naples, for if there is Yellow fever here in Sorrentina, I fear the mainland is not safe either. So please stay where you are until you hear from me that things are once more safe.

Please do not worry for my health, I am quite well. I must, however , inform you that Devi is amongst those who have fallen ill. She was transported to the Lazaretto after she collapsed with a high fever at the public meeting nearly a week ago. I have no access to the Lazaretto, so I have not been able to see her personally, but am informed by the nursing sisters that for the moment Devi is holding her own.

The same cannot be said of the other young woman who fell ill, a certain Maria Cecilia Antonnacci, supposingly from a Roman, goldsmith family. She arrived in Sorrentina about ten days ago, heavily pregnant, and claiming Sior Gandt as the father of her unborn child. You remember Sior Gandt, I am sure. Sior Gandt denies all knowledge of the young woman, although there are some vague rumours that they met at an Opium party in Roma. Unfortunately we shall probably never know the truth of this affair, as having given birth to a little daughter, and weakened by the birth and the fever, the young woman gave up her soul last night. The child, miraculously has so far survived and if she continues to thrive, many are the inhabitants of Sorrentina who have been so moved by this sad story, that they have offered funds for the education and future of this little Orphan. I myself will set up a small trust in your name for the education of this child.

Meanwhile we must pray for the recovery of our dear Devi.

Your ever loving Father

Fillipe Foscari