VW: Second Life
Location: Venezia
Country: IT
.......Meanwhile in north of the Peninsula, not far from the lake of Iseo...... 
Donna Elena The housemaid bops a quick curtseyYour father wishes to speak to you in his Study.
Elena puts down the book she had been reading, Poems on Particular Occasions (by Elisabeth Carter). Quickly brushing the Amaretti crumbs of her dress she makes her way the Contes Study. She gently knocks on the door and enters.
Her Father, the Conte Filippe looks up from the letter he has been reading.
Siediti, Cara, I have some very sad news to impart
Elena notices the letter he is holding, and her fathers sad expression.
What is it, Papa? What has happened?
I have just received a letter from the Principato di Melioria. It concerns the Principe. You remember that the Principe had travelled to the new world, with the intention of introducing the Grape Vine to that country. Apparently the climate there is very favourable.
Yes Papa?
It would seem that their settlement was attacked by the native population and burnt to the ground. Many corpses were found, but burnt beyond recognition. They cannot be sure, but it is believed that the Principe may have been amongst the dead.
Elena gets up and goes to the window, gazing out on the roses and the lawn.
This is terrible!
I thought you should know, Elena.
Yes, off course, thank you for telling me. I shall write to his family immediately. I am so sorry papa, he was a most charming and kind man, and I know he was a very old friend of yours.
Yes he was, a very dear old friend
Is there anything I can do for you Papa?
No Cara, but thank you, just leave me to my thoughts and memories for a while, then send Zuanne to me, I shall have letters for him to take to Melioria.
Elena returns to the Salotto, her thoughts in turmoil. The Principe! Dead! It cannot be, and in a land so far away. She remembers his many kindnesses to herself and the Orphans she brought to Melioria when they sought refuge there after the Floods of Venezia...The Orphans!!!? What will happen to them, now that they are no longer under direct protection of the Principe?
Elena tries to calm herself and thinks of each one of them, Fiorino, Prospero, Rico, Luigi, Santi, Stella, Rosaria...some found employment of various sorts, some like Rosaria disappeared, Santi went to Sea. Many of the boys however worked and lived at the Villa. What will happen to them now?
Elena goes quickly to her Bureaux, kneels down, and feels her way along one of the panels, until she finds the tiny button. She presses it and a secret compartment jumps open. She removes a purse of coins and gently closes the compartment.
If her Father is sending Zuanne with letters of condolences to the Principes family, then she will give Zuanne a mission of her own. To find Fiorino and the other boys, and offer them safe passage through the country and back to the Veneto, should they wish it?
Elena sits down and begins to write.....
The Coeur Spring Fair was a wonderful event. We spent many happy hours wondering from stall to stall, chatting with friends, enjoying the Dukes wine...Thank you!
After such a pleasant afternoon we were in the mood to visit the rest of the Duchy and set off in a wonderful carriage provided for us by a kind friend.
In the spirit of the day we began a race, determined to prove the speed of our carriage...... true maybe one of our party did get a bit carried away by her competitive instincts, and I personally began to feel nervous when she pulled a pistol out of her Bodice and threatened our coach man. I suspect he may also have felt nervous, as he lost control over the carriage and drove it into the lake.
So there we were...water filling up the coach as it sank deeper into the lake. I could feel my dress shrinking on me as I tried to persuade my friends that this was not a good place to stay. Some discussion ensued as to how we should open the carriage doors without the help of servants, and exactly what I meant by the term Swim.
I somehowsucceededin kicking open the doors, but lost my hat in doing so, and managed to drag the other ladies out of the carriage, persuading them to climb on top of the carriage, while I made for the shore to get help.
With my dress soaked and ruined I managed to call for help, and champagne was immediately sent. Practical help took somewhat longer to materialise but did in the form of a handsome stranger who came to our rescue.
He bravely stripped of his shirt, and I quite forgot about my ruined dress, as he jumped in a handy nearby Gondola, and sailed it to the sunken Carriage.
With the Ladies carefully seated, sipping their champagne in an attempt to overcome the stress of the circumstances, our hero gently rowed them to safety.
From "Villa Torbiato", Franciacorta
March, year of our Lord 1780
Dearest Friends,
I thought it was about time I put Quill to Parchment, and hope this letter finds you all in good spirits and health.
Spring has come to Franciacorta, and the countryside is getting ready to bloom. Hopefully winter is well and trully behind us.
The renovations on "Torbiato" are progressing well. The ground floor is just about habitable, and I have finally been able to hang some of the paintings you so kindly gave me.
Undeniably life in the country is very different from court or town life, but do not be fooled! It is far from quiet!
Father has returned from his travels, and is very busy working in the cellar.
I have no idea what he is working on, but wish it didn't involve blowing up the house.
There are plenty of other distractions.
We seem to be overrun with Rabbits, so the hunting is good, and there seems to be no end to what Devi can do to a rabbit in a kitchen.
The weather is warm enough for us to end the day on the Terrazza, enjoying the view over the lake, whilst drinking a glass of Father's home made Grappa, though I swear it has a back taste of Saltpetre.
I look forwards to hearing from you soon, and remain your ever affectionate friend.
Elena Marina
dei Conti Foscarii 
Rosaria follows the tunnel until she reaches a place where there are several tunnels all leading in
different directions. Its very dark, thewalls are wet and slimy and there is a very strange smell.
She begins to feeluncomfortable. Its very creepy. Then she hears voices and chanting, and decides to follows the sound.
She reaches a very large door, slightly ajar, just wide enough for her to squeeze through.
Staying close to the walls Rosaria creeps forwards and sees the hooded figures, surrounded by
candles and strange statues of dragons and other weird creatures.
As Rosaria leans forward to get a better view her foot brushes against something furry and warm
which scuttles away and Rosaria lets out an involuntary squeak.
..to be continued..
Rosaria finds herself alone in the square. The Boys have gone to the farms to help with the harvest, and she has been left behind. In her boredom she watches the house opposite the Taverna. There seems to be something going on.
Never being the sort of girl to let a question go unanswered, Rosaria decides to go and investigate. As she peeks into the beautiful room she sees some mysterious figures.
She watches the cloaked and hooded figures in fascination, as they approach the large picture in the centre of the wall. Rosaria tries to climb into a better position.
But when she turns to look the room is empty!!!
Now Rosaria absolutely has to know what is going on and breaks into the house by climbing onto the terrace. She quietly makes her way through the empty house.
When she reaches the Library, she very slowly approaches the painting. Rosaria gently touches the frame, and the painting opens like a door into a dark and clammy corridor, which turns into a tunnel.
August Year of our Lord 1779
Vostra Eccellenza Reverendissima, Monsignore Federico Maria Giovanelli
I trust this letter finds you in good health.
Again I thank you for your last letter, which I received just before I left for the French coast. I do not know if you have
received the letter I sent from my Fathers Villa near the Villeneuve estate.
I have now returned to Melioria, but am leaving once more. I
am sure you would advise against my decision, but I have to go back to Venezia
and see the situation there for myself.
Be assured I shall be accompanied by Tita, my Fathers man servant, from
La Malcontenta.
I have recently received a letter from a dear friend from England. He writes to me about something called The
Blue Coats Schools.
These Blue Coat Schools, are a type of elementary school, erected and maintained by the parish, through the voluntary contributions of the inhabitants, for teaching poor children and orphans to read, write, and other necessary parts of education.
They are usually maintained by religious organizations, which provide clothing
and education to students freely or at little charge. In most charity schools,
children are likewise put out to trades, services, etc.
empty floor above the Taverna.
There is ample space for both sleeping quarters and teaching space. 
daughter in CJ
Elena Marina dei Conti di Foscari
July Year of our Lord 1779
Vostra EccellenzaReverendissima, Monsignore
Federico Maria Giovanelli
I trust this letter finds you in good health.
It was very fortunate that I received your letter on the morning of my departure, as I had received an urgent message informing me that my Father had been taken ill. So I left the children in the excellent care of the Principe and Cece.
I was most surprised to find my father here, as I had no idea that he had a Villa and lands here.
Sadly I found him very unwell, suffering from an affliction of the lungs. I wish I had Devi's knowledge of herbs and healing. I have, however, been greatly aided by Monsieur Claude-Alexandre Villeneuve the Count of Vence, who has arranged for the infermary sister, from the local monastero to come and administer to Father, and his breathing seems to be better.
The Contesse de Villeneuve also seems to be a regular visitor and seems very familiar with the Villa, which is beautiful, although rather delapidated, and has a magnificent view.
I had some concerns for the children when I left Melioria. As I wrote in my last letter on the surface the children seemed to have settled in well. However, I must now inform you that Santi seems to have disappeared. No one is sure where and when, but there is some talk that he has stowed away on one of the ships that sailed from the port last week.
Rosaria seems unconcerned, so I am unsure what to think.
My greatest concern is for Fiorino. He amongst all in the group, seemed the most active participant in life here in Melioria, yet when he thinks no one is looking I catch him staring out to sea with a sadness in his eyes which is heartbreaking. As soon as he sees me he becomes his usual cheerful and helpful self. I remain most concerned.
With the kindest regards be assuredof my sincerest feelings of respect and friendship, I remain your
faithful daughter in CJ
Elena Marina dei Conti di Foscari
From the Summer Villa of the Principe Melioria
July Year of our Lord 1779Vostra Eccellenza Reverendissima, MonsignoreFederico Maria Giovanelli
I trust this letter will find you in good health, and somewhere safe. I am concerned that I have not heard anything from you and hope you recieved my first letter, anouncing our safe arrival at Melioria.
The Children seem to have settled into their new environment.
The Principe has been very kind to the children and has started inviting them to "Dinner". He likes to do so formally, sending his chief Valet to the Port square, where the Children gather most days.
The Valet, who is not atall amused, presents the Children with the formal invitation, along with a formal bow.
The Children are thrilled at the attention, but make a show of noncholance as they accept the invitation and break the Principe's seal.
As evening falls I watch them arrive from my windows. Cece, the Principe's Cook, presents the Children with a feast at a table in the gardens. She grumbles about feeding all the strays and waifs of Christendom, but when she thinks no one is looking she smiles, and I think she is as thrilled to me feeding them as they are to eat.
I still have not heard any news from Bishop Monsignore Gabrieli, nor of the possibility of organising a school. I am hoping that some of the older boys might find aprenticeships with the local fishermen and artisans, while we wait for the waters of Venezia to go down.
With the kindest regards be assured of my sincerest feelings of respect and friendship, I remain your faithful daughter in
CJ
Elena Marina dei Conti di Foscari