16, Dec. 1900 - Letter to Dr. Edvard G. Sanguis of Vienna

Translated from the original French. Written on stationary from the Hotel Imperial, Vienna.

Artz Sanguis,

Hope this finds you well.
You requested that I recount my life to the best of my ability and so doing would render you in my debt. As I am beholden to you for aiding me in understanding who I am, I am more than happy to oblige. Were any of this knowledge to provide more revelations to you I trust you will take measures to bring them to my attention as well.

It was told to me the same day the first trams operated in Milan, I was born in that fair city. That day being the 8th of July, 1876.

My mother and father, and others of their kind, had been surprised to hear of her condition when the advent of my birth was discovered. Though she had been cha afflicted for sometime, (three years - my father for five) during the time she bore me she could partake in the usual human diet with no ill effects and continue her usual diet with no apparent distress to me.

I was a marvel to those of my parents' families. It was believed, by all, age would bring about a similar change all had undergone at the onset of their new life. I did not share their peculiar taste. As I grew it was discovered and that marvel turned to revulsion from my extended family. Though they did not expel my parents they did not keep them as close a distance they had before.

By some miracle I survived infanthood. Naturally I cannot recall many details but of the numerous homes and travels, vague memories of people who oversaw my education and care. It strikes me now, these people must have possessed some knowledge of my parents but how much I do not know. They did not shy away when I reached for them as my family members did. I was more inclined to them, and they to me than I was any of those with my parents' affliction.

For those formative years, as they are called, my parents treated me with indifference (mother more than father). I was in my teen years when they began to regard me as a useful asset to the family. I could tend to their dealings during the day when they could not, I possess a natural empathy which they do not, something that progresses with each passing year.

This enabled me to form attachments to our workers and business associates. They desired to interact with me more than my parents and family and I became a form of liaison. I maintained my father's vineyards and my mother's fashion industry where I could.
The families held estates controlled by certain members throughout Italie, France and Suisse. There were vineyards in Geneve and Lausanne with villas in Toscan and Milan - where I was born. Others would operate theaters and opera houses, hotels... any venue of high society that could be profitable. All these in some varying numbers had been frequented in my youth.

My parents, from my understanding, were chosen as hum from their former lives and adopted for their personal and real properties. This is how the families acquire more power and has been over the centuries.

As I grew the reality of me being my mother's daughter became less believable. She had been twenty-seven when she cha contracted the illness that brought about her condition. As my father had been forty-five the ruse that I was his daughter from a previous marriage had been assumed. It was then in my eighteenth year that he willed his Lausanne estates to me... for practical reasons and to maintain the charade.

Within the families it was well known what I could do, good Doctor. But to them I was a mongrel, only of use for when they could not go out in the day and to form emotional attachments to potential family members.

During the summer of 1897 -before all the trouble - at one of these controlled places to seek some new members, I met Arturo.

He was twenty-four, charming, handsome - a Roman hero of old - and connected to the Marchess di Rudini, Starabba. We danced to Strauss...

My parents were pleased, and the others in the families openly spoke to me, especially when Arturo and I were together. (That should have been a hint.)
All was done to encourage the match, even on the part of his family from Turin. They showed no signs they knew of....

It was revealed to me, after Arturo and I were betrothed, that though not chosen for me the match was as good as arranged. After our wedding my parents planed to ch adopt him in.

Naturally I was concerned for him and pleaded with my parents. (I wasn't yet aware of my 'arrested development' to use your term.) They assuaged me that he was only interested in my wealth, lands and the prospect of a beautiful wife. If that were true, so be it. He shall be.... like my parents.

However, on that day, before I walked down the aisle the conscious decision to not wear my gloves was made for me. It would have made him weaker if I did what I do.

When we took hands, before I did... I felt the most intense emotion of my young life - the same I felt for him. Desire, Hope, Innocent Passion... protectiveness. I could no longer play a part in my parents' scheme. I left.


All I said was 'I can't.'

My parents found me as I packed my bags. I shan't describe the scene.

Quoth lady Capulet " Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee'.

---

When you asked if I would speak to my parents I have no inclination to communicate with them at present and I strongly believe they are of a similar persuasion.


As for Arturo, I haven't seen him since that day at the altar. This was before the Fatti di Maggio. With di Rudini out of power I don't know if he is now like my parents, or no longer the target of their schemes. I often wonder his fate.

From thence I began my Tour of Europe until you found me in Frauenhuber. I believe this is sufficient. Should you need any more information I shall maintain a room at the Imperial and I will keep the staff abreast of my travels. I do believe Wien has become my new home.