I am so worried I could scream! Everywhere Burly and I go ends up being a dead end. It seems we are on a wild goose chase. I promised poor desperate Mercury that we would return to the convent where Contessa Elena Foscari was last seen entering, and do my best to find and save her. She and I have not yet met so Mercury thoughtfully wrote a letter of introduction for me to give to her. It seems no one can be trusted these days! Together we hatched a plan for me to enter the convent and look for the Contessa. I have an acquaintance whom I believe has gone into retreat there and I will pay her a visit, wearing a veil as is customary when aristocratic ladies move about the streets and waterways of Venice. I will also wear my hair in the elegant manner of the Contessa, somehow pulling this curly mop of mine into an elegant chignon described to me by Sr Gandt. He pleaded with me in a most persuasive manner, to be careful and discreet in my inquiries. He also hinted that I will be rewarded handsomely for my efforts which I, of course, dismissed as unnecessary (although I might consider accepting some as it could help me pay off some of my ever increasing gambling debts.)

But, I digress.

Our intention was for me to enter the convent wearing a black veil and look for the Contessa. We would then go to the room of my acquaintance and exchange our clothes--including the veil. Then la Contessa would leave the convent wearing my disguise and join Burly waiting outside. They were to wait for me at a nearby pub where I would quickly join them after I made my own exit, and we would all take a fast gondola back to Venezia and safety.