That was the plan....

When Burly and I finally arrived at the convent where La Contessa was last seen, it appeared to be locked up and deserted. Not one nun could be seen, no gardener, no caretaker. No one. Burly hammered at the big doors and called out, but silence was the stern reply. This scene was beginning to feel familiar standing outside a do Fruitlessly knocking

We decided to go to the local pub to talk this through and ask anyone there about the convent. It was a quiet place housing only a bald-headed bar tender and a surly looking chap drinking his vino rosso in the corner. We sat down at a table and ordered some grappa, warming ourselves by the nearby fire, collecting our thoughts.

The bar tender, Vincenzo Bertolino, although cordial, seemed a bit reserved, and it took a lot of our time and patience to pull out any information from him.

Apparently the building hasnt been a convent for at least five years, the nuns who once inhabited had moved to the nearby island of Burano! Strangely coincidental is the fact that the building was subsequently sold to Conte Francesco Foscari, Elenas grandfather, who, according to our host, never comes there. Now in his early eighties, the old Count has retired to Villa Malcontenta on the Brenta Canal, just outside Venezia. So vexed was I that I pulled off my veil and threw it on the floor in frustration-fantasies of a happy ending slowly turning to feelings of anger mixed with fear and foreboding.

Things were going nowhere. We were unable to learn anything from the stranger in the corner he was extremely hostile and seemed to resent Burlys elegant clothing. He asked to be left in peace. Some of his disparaging remarks to both of us made me blush.

So here we are-- no further ahead that we were two days ago but with even more questions than answers. Who were those people at the convent when La Contessa first entered it? It is true, we only saw one nun and one nun does not a convent make. Where did Elena go? Was she kidnapped or did she leave of her own volition? If so, who was waiting for her there? Also, why did those men attack Mercury? What were they trying to prevent him from doing or learning? Why is the Ca Foscari locked up and abandoned? Where is Count Foscari, Elena's father? Burly and I decided to return to Venezia and discuss this with |Mercury before proceeding further. What a dejected pair we were as we climbed aboard the gondola and reported back to Mercury

!

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.