I am so happy. Elisabetta has been released!

Somehow Hugo must have put the right amount of pressure on Cristoph Christophoro to make him see the value of letting her go free. Perhaps it was a question of who blinked first -- and Hugo won. What a dear man! He came with me to the Piombi, the prison where my sister was held. It is a horrid place-cold, damp and very smelly. I think I saw a few rats scurrying along the open drains and the prisoners who were held in the filthy cells were crumpled, desolate figures. They watched dully as we came to release Elisabetta. As we walked through that godless place, I thought to myself how far my dear young sister and I have come from the sumptuous court of Frederic the Great during those years at Sans Souci!

The jailer reluctantly opened the door to Elisabetta's cell, giving me a once over with his eyes that made me flush with embarrassment. I was so glad of Hugo's strong, reassuring presence. The iron door creaked and slammed behind her - loudly sounding the end to her cruel waiting. We supported her as we walked outside into the cold fresh sunshine of Campo San Marco, and I was finally able to hold my frail sister, just skin and bones, in my arms again.

I brought Elisabetta home with me, fed her some hot soup and tucked her into bed.

We will talk in the morning.

~

Then I found Hugo and thanked him with all my heart.

Soon we will leave this sad city and sail with Hugo to a peaceful, sunny place called Rocca Sorrentina.

It is on the west coast of Italy, off the coast of Naples. I will begin packing my bags tomorrow.