After Achille retires to the kitchens, Elena calls Devi.

Did you hear all that?

Yes of course I did, Devi replies smiling.

Do you think the moment has come? Elena asks her.

Yes I do!

And you know what to do?

Yes of course, I am always prepared. I will make some arrangements, meanwhile you prepare, and I will be back in a while.

Devi turns around and without ceremony hurries from the room.

Grabbing her cloak on the way, Devi comes out the back entrance of Ca Foscari, into the setting sun. Checking that no one is following her, she turns left, then right and disappears into the Calle.

Although she is not Venetian born, Devi prides herself on knowing Venice like the back of her hand, and quickly makes her way to her asignation.

Is it time? asks the man.

Yes. Are you ready? Devi replies, and hands him a well filled purse.

We are always ready he smiles When?

Hopefully tomorrow, I will send word.

The man smiles and pockets the purse.

Any Chance of a kiss? he asks

Devi grins, and starts to leave.

Can you swim? and laughing she disappears down another Calle.

Diary of a Contessa, Venezia June 17th, Year of our Lord 1781

I was reading in the Salotto, when my maid Devi came to tell me that there was a man called Achille with a message from Melioria. I remembered that Achille was in the service of Sior Stern, and told Devi to show him up immediately.

Achille explained that he was bringing a Verbal message from my Father and Sior Stern. Verbal because neither of them trusted the written word, or the pigeons.

It would seem that my father had been sent a message which he had assumed was from me, asking him to come to Melioria, as I was in trouble. He arrived in all haste, and off course found I had left because of the message I received from him requesting me to return to Venice as soon as possible.

It would seem that both messages were false, and certainly explains why Father wasnt here when I arrived.......and now I am worried, Sior Gandt suggested there was something suspicious in my Father not being here, I thought he was being silly, seeing dangers everywhere, now I wonder.....

And I dont feel at all reassured when Achille points out that the house is being watched, and shows me the two men watching. By myself I would never have noticed. From now on I shall see them everywhere. My Fathers instructions,however, are to stay put and not to travel anywhere until I hear from him again.

I thank Achille and send him to the kitchens for refreshments.

So while I pretend to gaze across the Canal Grande, but actually observe the two men observing me, I wonder what is going on. Who is having me watched? And why? and what can I do? Father can't seriously expect me to do nothing and just sit here waiting?

(furnishings by Delos Helstein and SERENYA Burnstein)

Journal of Conte Filippe Foscari

26 of May, year of our Lord 1781

...Whileonbusiness in Tuscany, Ireceiveda message from my daughter Elena, requesting me to join her in Melioria as soon as possible.

The Ship from Naples arrived in Melioria late in the afternoon, and following the advice of the Inn keeper, Signora Macbain, I set of in search of a certain Sior Aldo Stern, who has taken over the smooth running of the island since the Princippe disappeared in the new world.

Sior Stern proved a most hospitable and charming fellow, and invited me to take coffee in his office.

We discussed many general subjects for some time.

I could not help observing that there was only one picture in his office. Alovelyportrait of the late Madame Pompadour. I commented on her unique charm, and note that Sior Stern looked very wistful, as he told me he had known her well.

There is more to Sior Aldo Stern then meets the eye, of that I am sure.

Finally I enquired about the whereabouts of my daughter Elena.

Sior Stern became very serious, put his finger to his lips to indicate for me to be silent and led me out of the office onto the pier.

Here, safe from being overheard, he informed me that Elena had sailed forVenice2 weeks previously, with two companions. Fiorino one of theyoungApprentices, and a Sior Mercury Gandt, an English Gambler and Adventurer.

It seems that Elena made this decision based on a message she had received from me requesting her to return Homeimmediately.

I inform Sior Stern that I sent no such message. We agree that both messages must have been forgeries, and sent by someone who has an interest in having us both travel in opposite directions.

But whom?

Sior Stern offers me the full use of hisintelligenceand courier service, which I , always interested in a good organisation, gratefully accept.

Later after having taken my leave of Sior Stern, I sit, in the best of company, watching the sun set accross the bay of Naples, pondering all these questions.

...................

As we were passing so close, I insisted we stopped to pay our respects to the Prince and Princess of Amalfi.

It was late when we arrived, but they nevertheless treated us to their famous hospitality.

By Dawn we were once more on the ship and sailing through the straights of Messina.

I greatly look forwards to seeing you, and will endeavour to send news as I can along the journey.

Your loving Daughter

Elena

Melioria, May 1781

Dearest Father,

I received your request for my return early in the morning, which gave me plenty of time to pack and prepare for the journey.

I was lucky to be able to find the apprentice Fiorino, now grown much taller than when you last saw him. He and the other boys sailed for the mainland, but he returned alone. He seems very subdued and reluctant to tell me where they were trying to go, and what has happened to the other boys. I have, however, sent Zuanne to the mainland to see if he can pick up their trail. He will make his own way back to Venezia.

I am, however not travelling alone as I shall be bringing Fiorino back with me. Also a Sior Mercury Gandt will be accompanying us back to Venice. I think you will be interested in meeting this young man, as I believe he has hidden talents which may be of use to you.

Originally from England, he presents himself as a penniless man of fortune. He fancies himself a gambler but is eager to escape his creditors, as his talents do not seem to lie in games of Fortunes. My instincts tell me there is more to him than meets the eye, and I look forwards to your opinion.

We managed to leave on the evening tide and began our journey south.

(To be continued)

I manage to reach Brescia by late morning, and, in the bright sunshine, I make my way to Piazza della Loggia.

I have been to Brescia before on business for the Conte, so I know it quite well. It is said that its an old town dating back to Roman times and was then known as Brixia.

I always enjoy coming to this square, and looking at the clock with the two Moors. It reminds me of the one back home in San Marcos square. The story goes that both clocks were made by the same artisan, who made the one in Brescia first, and was then commissioned to make the one in Venice. When he had completed the clock in San Marcos square, the Doge had him blinded so that he would never make another. I dont know if there is any truth in this, it may just be a story.

I quickly make my way through the back streets to Piazza del Duomo. Its called Duomo because of the two domed buildings standing next to each other. They started building the Cathedral at the beginning of the 17 ^th century, and they still havent finished it. The church next to the Cathedral is much older. 11 ^th century I think. It is Romanesque in architecture, sometimes called the Rotonda. I always think its looks so strange that the older Church is at a much lower level than the Cathedral and square.

I want to deliver the letters as quickly as possible to the Vescovo, so I go round the back of the Cathedral where he has his private rooms.

I really just expected to leave the letters with the secretary of the Vescovo, so imagine my surprise when I am ushered into the presence of Giovanni Nani, Vescovo of Brescia. He very kindly asks me to sit down, and explains how pleased he is to meet a fellow Venetian. I give him the letters and he asks me if I am returning to Torbiato. I explain that I am on my way to Melioria with other letters. Ahh he says, be careful he says, once you leave the Veneto there is very little law and order. The south is filled with Bandits and Wolves. Which route are you planning on taking? He asks.

I tell him of my plans, and he gives me a map and good advice on the best route, for which I amextremelygrateful. I confess that I had very little idea where I was going.

Having accomplished my immediate Mission here, I am free to go shopping and after the Vescovos warnings about the possible dangers of my journey, I have decided to use some of the gold to buy myself a good Flintlock Pistol, in case I have to defend myself against either Wolves or Bandits.

The Hills in nearby Gardone Valtrompia are rich in Iron Ore and they have been making weapons here since Roman times. So Brescia is well known for its gun manufacturers, especially those made by the Beretta Family.

Sure enough under the Porticci I find the Family shop, and am greeted by Signor Giovanni Beretta who helps me to choose a suitable weapon.

He seems a very jovial Man, and when he hears that I am Venetian he launches into the tale of his illustrious ancestor Bartolomeo Beretta who in 1526 was paid 296 Ducats for making 185 Arquebus Barrels for the Arsenale of Venice, thereby starting the Family business.

I choose a simple gun, with a tiny bit of Inglesina engraving, but a very reasonable price, and having paid I hurry out of Brescia and back onto the road. If all goes well I may get to Mantova by nightfall.

It was Late last night when the Conte Foscari called me into his study.

The Conte told me that he had a mission for me. This is not unusual. I have been part of the Foscari Household since I was a boy, and in these past few years he has often sent me on Missions. Usually he wants me to carry letters for him. So I was not surprised when he handed me some sealed letters but I was surprised when he gave me a Purse of gold for my expenses, and told me he wanted me to take the letters to an Island called Melioria all the way to the south in the bay of Salerno.

I kept a straight face, but was jumping with excitement inside. Im born and bred in Venice, and although I have travelled around the Veneto I have never been further then the lake of Iseo.

I decide to set off a dawn. The Sun was just beginning to rise, but there she was, the young Contessa, with letters in her hand, another purse of gold, and a Mission of her own for me to fulfil.

Please deliver these letters to the Monsignore Giovanni Nani, The Vescovo of Brescia. He will know what to do.

These Letters are for the Princepesa Artemisia di Elswit

Finally when you get to Melioria, I want you to find the Orphan boys I left under the protector ship of the Principe. I want you to make sure that they are either settled in permanent apprenticeships, or if not, I want you to bring them back to the Veneto safe and sound, so that their futures can be looked to here. She looks at me, Please dont fail me Zuanne.

I mount my horse and with a last look at the peaceful countryside of Torbiato, I set of on my journey.

My first stop will be the town of Brescia. I hope to be there by lunch time.

....... I hear rumours of an Austrian affair...But....I think LAffaire avec La Dauphine is just, as the English would say, a Red Herring?

I, instead, observed Wrath mingling with many Ladies as is his habit.

Until he came upon a mysterious Lady clad in scarlet, surely a Sin!!!

And I observed Wrath leading the Lady to a more discreet area, behind the temple, and somewhat away from the other dancers. There Wrath unmasked the Lady who turned out to be non other then Constance-Elisabeth de Bonzac, the Dowager Vicontesse de Saint-Emillion, recently returned from the country where she had been exiled for.......well thats another story....

I observed them both, as they shared a quiet moonlit moment, and they looked pretty chummy, I can tell you!!!

....It was all very cosy, until the Duchesse de Montbazon, Victorie Armande de Rohan came upon their tryst. Well...we all know that Wrath and the Duchesse have been, what shall we say, close in the past?

Ohhhh...the looks that passed between the three of them!!!!

After which the Vicontesse quickly replaced her Mask as Wrath took leave of her and hurried away

Looking, in my opinion, furtive and nervous as he went.