From the Summer Villa of the Principe Melioria

July Year of our Lord 1779

Vostra Eccellenza Reverendissima, Monsignore Federico Maria Giovanelli

I trust this letter will find you in good health.

We had a peaceful passage in a beautiful star filled night. Once aboard Santi stopped cryingand fell asleep in a corner. Rosaria onother hand, stayed awake all night watching the sea and the sailors.

I must say I am pleasantly surprised at the steely backbone of the girl. Up till now she had shownherself only interested in fine clothes and sweetmeats, and not too concernedas to how she got them.

She always followed Santi in adoration. This time she made him follow her. They are very much like brother and sister those two. You remember it was Santi whofound Rosaria wondering the Calle. Sheis no foundling, as are Fiorino and Santi. The Nuns calculated that she must have been at least 4 or 5 from hertooth growth, but we have no way of knowing for sure.

We landed at the Port at Dawn. I left the children to be reunited with those that arrived on the previous ship, and went immediately to meet with BishopMons.Gabrieli, who welcomed me most courteously with refreshments, andlemonade. I offered him mycongratulations at his recent installation here as Bishop. We discussed various possibilities foraccommodating the children. He said hewould call upon the Nuns personally of the Monastero and enquire if there areany willing to come and organise the Orphanage and resume teaching thechildren.

The Villa is very beautiful and peaceful and I am very grateful to the Principe for his hospitality.

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

On the third day, in the darkness before dawn, the ship docked in Marseilles harbour. The sun was already high in the sky when Beatrice and Hugo joined the Conte on deck.

Buongiorno, my young friends. I trust you have slept well. The Conte greeted them energetically.

I have already spoken to my local contact, who informs me that the coach will be ready to leave at dawn tomorrow. The Conte continued.

I have an appointment with my bankers now. We will meet here at five this afternoon. The luggage will be safe on the ship, but it would be a great help, Sior Dieter if you would find suitable accommodation for tonight. The Conte concluded.

Hugo nodded in understanding.

You may count on us, Sior Conte.

The Conte bowed, smiled, walked briskly onto shore and was gone.

The air was crisp as Hugo and Beatrice stepped onto shore, but the sun shone brightly. Beatrice beamed at the thought of spending the day exploring this ancient city in Hugos company. It seemed perfectly natural for her to slip her arm through his, as they strolled along chatting, and for him to adjust his arm for her comfort.

I was told by one of the sailor, that the local dish here is a delicious fish stew, called Bouillabaisse. Hugo told Beatrice as they walked along.

Well lets try some! Beatrice suggested enthusiastically, laying her other hand also on Hugos arm, and squeezing it affectionately.

Lookhere is a tavern, and I am very hungry. She giggled.

As they entered they were greeted by the cosy heat of the open fire, delicious fishy smells emanating from the Kitchen, and a tall, buxom woman with raven hair, smoking a pipe.

Bonjour Madame, Monsieur. I am Madame Fanny. What can I do for you?

Bonjour Madame Fanny, do you serve a dish called Bouillabaisse? Hugo asked hopefully.

Mais bien sur Monsieur, I made some fresh this morning. Please come and sit down, make yourselves comfortable, and I will fetch some food for you, and something to drink? Maybe some of our local wine?

Some warm Rum, please Madame, for both of us. Hugo added, looking warmly at Beatrice.

Madame Fanny raised a critical eyebrow to herself and disappeared into the kitchen, reappearing a short while later with food and warm Rum.

Hugo took the opportunity to ask Madame Fanny if she could recommend a good Inn that could accommodate them for the night.

Mais bien sur, Monsieur. She replied

The best place is Le Logis du Panier, just a bit further down to the right.

So is this your Tavern, Madame Fanny? Beatrice asked as she finished her food, and gently wiped her mouth.

Ahh Non, Madame. It belongs to my father in law, Monsieur Cesar. The old balding one in the corner, playing cards with his cronies, as per usual. Madame Fanny indicated the card players with a nod of her chin.

My Son, Cesarion, is supposed to be running this tavern, but he is away who-knows-where, doing who-knows-what. Madame Fanny took a puff of her pipe and cleared away the empty bowls. She returned with two slices of apricot tart, which she set down in front of Hugo and Beatrice.

I usually run the fish stall outside, as did my mother, Honorine in her day, may the Saints keep her soul. Continued Madame Fanny, lifting her eyes to heaven, and taking a puff of her pipe.

I let her down so badly.

And your husband, Madame? Beatrice enquired

Away at sea. Madame Fanny replied bluntly.

That must be very lonely for you, Madame.

Ah que voulez vous Madame, when a man has the Sickness of the Sea Madame Fanny puffed wistfully at her pipe.

How did you let your mother down? Hugo prompted Madame Fanny.

The usual way a daughter lets her mother down, Monsieur.

You married badly? Against her wishes?

It was more a case of putting the cart before the horse, if you follow my meaning, Monsieur. Madame Fanny explained meaningfully.

Beatrice nodded with understanding.

Hugo looked perplexed.

I was unmarried. I was in love. I sinned. Madame Fanny clarified, thinking how innocent Hugo was.

But did your Fianc not marry you? Beatrice asked

Ohh he wanted to, but I could see that this caused him torment, and that his true mistress, the sea was calling him.

So what happened? Hugo and Beatrice asked in unison

I decided not to tell him that our Sin had born fruit. I pretended that I did not love him, and sent him away. He chose to believe me, and sailed the very same night.

Oh Madame, how dreadful! What did you do then? Beatrice asked.

I married Monsieur Panisse.

Monsieur who? Beatrice and Hugo asked.

A friend of Monsieur Cesar, over there. Again she indicated the card players in the corner.

I was honest with him about my Sin, but he married me anyway, God keep his soul She continued.

Is he also dead? Hugo asked, slightly concerned about the mounting body count.

Yes, sadly my dear Panisse died some years ago. Such a good man Madame Fanny dabbed her eyes with the corner of her apron.

What happened to the one who went to sea? Beatrice asked Did he ever return?

Yes. Three years later. He came to find me. To tell me that he had realised how much he loved me. He begged me to come away with him. But I had married Panisse by then, and could not betray him. He had been good to me, and was as a father to Cesarion. So again I refused Marius, and again he sailed away that same night.

That is a tragic and romantic tale, Madame. Beatrice exclaimed, stealing a wistful glance at Hugo.

But if Monsieur Cesar is your Father in law, and if the sailor is his son, you must have married him eventually. Hugo stated.

That is correct, Monsieur. Monsieur Panisse died, may the angels keep his soul, Marius returned, and finally we were free to marry. Madame Fanny Concluded taking a puff of her pipe.

So your story has a happy ending. Beatrice smiled hopefully, stealing another glance at Hugos profile.

WellA Happy Ending is a matter of opinion. Cesar is still playing cards, Cesarion is still who-knows-where, Marius is still away at sea, and I am still doing all the work. Madame Fanny chuckled cynically, as she cleared the plates from the table.

(Dedicated to Marcel Pagnol)

The Conte had no qualms leaving Hugo and Beatrice in each others company. He knew that they would look after each other, and the journey would most likely do the rest. The Conte chuckled to himself as he quickly lost himself in the crowds milling around the port.

He had had to delay their departure from Marseilles, while he concluded his business affairs. Now he had one last, but very important meeting, and then they could continue their journey north.

As he made his way through the now familiar narrow back streets, he found himself whistling an old folk song he had learnt half a lifetime ago when he had been a young man in Istanbul.

The address he had been given took him to a very inconspicuous door. He hesitated, smiled, and entered the building, carefully closing the door behind him. An unlit small hallway, took him to another door. He knocked gently and went in.

In a small office a very, pretty young woman was busy working at a ledger. At his entrance she looks up and fixes him with gentle amber eyes.

Can I help you, Sir? She asks, rising from her chair.

I have an appointment with Grigore Mihai Vlastos. He is expecting me, I think.

And who shall I tell my father wishes to see him?

Please tell him that Fillipe Foscari is here to see him. Are you Loukia Vlastos?

For a moment the young woman hesitates at the sound of the now unfamiliar name.

Yes I am. Have we met, Sir?

In a way The Conte smiles But I dont expect you to remember. It was a very long time ago, in another place, and you were just a baby.

I will go and tell my Father you are here. Loukia smiles sweetly, bobs a quick curtsey and disappears through a curtain. She reappears a second later. Please go through. Loukia bobs another curtsey and holds the curtain aside for the Conte.

And there, is his old friend, surrounded by the tools of his trade.

At the sound of the Contes footsteps Grigore turns around. The two Men embrace each other.

My dear Grigo it has been so many years The Conte says looking at his old companion.

Too many years have passed, since we were young men, running about the Phanar from party to party, while our fathers were too busy with government matters to keep a close watch on us! Grigore laughs.

Grigore takes a dusty bottle from one of his shelves, along with two glasses.

Here Fillipe, this will remind you of those far of days of our youth. He fills the glasses with liquid from the bottle and hand one of the glasses to the Conte. Both Men clink their glasses together and take a sip.

Ahh yes, it certainly reminds me of too many nights in the tavern. The Conte smiles at the memory. It was a great surprise to receive your letter after all this time, Grigo, a very pleasant surprise. The Conte continues.

So you are a Conte now? Grigore chuckles How did that happen?

Yes it seems I am. The Conte smiles It was my reward for doing the Austrian Empress a favour.

What about your Father? I cant imagine he was pleased. How is the old fellow these days?

I dont think my Father has ever completely forgiven me. To a certain extent it has caused an everlasting rift between us. He still thinks of me as a traitor. Apart from that, he is his usual workaholic self. They just gave him the post of deputy to pias causas for a second time, and he still holds his positions as the administrator on hospitals and charitable institutions, and as the administrator on municipal Heritage. He is pretty inexhaustible. He did, however, decline the post of Ambassador in ST Petersburg in 82, but sent my brother Ferigo instead.

Im impressed! He must be over 80. Grigore pours another measure of liquid into their glasses.

He will be 82 in December, but what about you Grigo. How did you end up in Marseille?

Ahh, I have been here nearly 12 years now. The war with the Russians in 68 did little to improve trade for the family. So the Vlastos Family gave up the fur trade and got involved in other trades. As you know we are a versatile Family, and spread all over Europe.

So given my penchant for Chemistry I was encouraged by the Uncles to transfer here to Marseilles. This region of France boasts a great variety of flowers, and the French court is crying out for perfumes. So trade is very brisk. Its all I can do to keep up with demands. This. Grigore encompasses the room with his hand ..is where I experiment with new scents and concoctions, which are then made up in Volume at afactory I have in a small place called Grasse, some days ride further along the coast.

My wife, Raluca, died back in 71, and we had no other children apart from Loukia. She was still very young, and missed her mother, so it seemed a very good moment to start afresh, somewhere new.

It was a shock to see Loukia all grown up. The last times I saw her she was just a Baby. Ahh how time has slipped away The Conte sighs and takes another sip.

Lucie. Here in this land she goes by the name of Lucie. Your Elena must also be grown up. Grigore ventures Is she married with children of her own? Are you a grandfather? Grigore laughs.

Not Yet, Elena shows no inclination in that direction, which sometimes worries me. She seems happy to travel the courts of Europe as my representative. She is a very independent soul.

Just like her Mother. Grigore smiles. I will never forget my Fathers face when she broke with all conventions, andinformed us at dinner that she had broken of her engagement to our cousin, Gheorghe, and was now engaged to you. I thought my Father would have a fit, his face was so red! Grigore laughs. Then when he calmed down he saw the advantages of having a daughter married to the son of the Ambassador Extraordinary of Venice, and the Vlastos family always have plenty of other girls to marry their cousins, and you know how we like to marry well, usually to our cousins, so you really were an exception. However, Father didnt let me off so lightly, I was always blamed for allowing the two of you to meet in the first place. Grigore chuckles.

Tell me Fillipe, does Elena know the truth? Grigore asks in a more serious tone.

No she doesnt. She was so tiny, when we left Istanbul, I doubt she remembers anything before our return to Venice, and Giovanna Mocellini was a good woman and accepted Elena as her own, and Venetian Society pays little attention to female children, until they are ready to marry. Elena has always believed herself to be Giovannas daughter. Giovanna also died a few years ago and Elena grieved for her as her Mother. I didnt want her to grieve twice and thought it best to let sleeping dogs lie. The Conte looks wistful and takes another sip from his glass. Both men sip their drinks in silence, lost in though and memories. After a while the Conte takes out a gold pocket watch, with an enamelled miniature of a dark haired girl on one side.

Im afraid, my dear friend that I must take my leave of you. I do hope to see you on my return journey. The Conte says getting up.

Grigore notices the watch, but says nothing. Before you go, I have a copy of the book you asked me to find, and a letter from Chios. May God watch over you, until next we meet.Grigore hands The Conte a book, with a worn leather cover and a sealed letter.