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Updated: June 9, 2025
It was ordered by a rich merchant, Salvadore Billi, to place in a chapel which Pietro Roselli had adorned with marbles in the church of the "Annunciata." He paid 100 ducats in gold for it. In its original state the picture was a complete allegory of Christ as the centre of Religion, between two prophets in heaven, and four apostles, two at each side beneath him two angels support the world.
The question as to his health was too perfunctory to require reply. Besides, he anticipated trouble, and it was an age-long habit of his to meet it halfway. Annunciata sat, with a jingling of chains. She chose a straight chair, and faced him, very erect. "How old is Hedwig?" demanded the King "Nineteen." "And Hilda?" "Sixteen." He knew their ages quite well.
Annunciate is rich in splendid frescoes; those placed round the walls in the courtyard of the church, and surrounded by a glass gallery, are particularly handsome. On the left as we enter we find the costly chapel of our Lady "dell' Annunciata," in which the altar, the immense candelabra, the angels and draperies, in short every thing is of silver.
In the summer, at the summer palace, he was only allowed to see a few children, because the others were what his Aunt Annunciata called "bourgeois." And there was in his mind also something Miss Braithwaite had said, after his escapade with the American boy. "If you must have some child to play with," she had said severely, "you could at least choose some one approximately your equal."
He had always thought of Her Royal Highness as the granddaughter of his King. He had never spoken a word that he need regret. Annunciata listened, and took his measure shrewdly. He was the sort of young fool, she told herself, who would sacrifice himself and crucify his happiness for his country. It was on just such shoulders as his that the throne was upheld.
"It is not safe to stay here, is it?" she asked. "We could go to the summer palace. That, at least, is isolated." "Too isolated," said the King dryly. "And flight! The very spark, perhaps, to start a blaze. Besides," he remind her, "I could not make the journey. If you would like to go, however, probably it can be arranged." But Annunciata was not minded to go without the Court.
In the center an empty fountain was cleared, its upper basins filled with water vines, its borders a riot of color. When the water was turned on, it would be quite lovely. But it was not the garden on the roof which cheered Annunciata. It had, indeed, rather sad memories.
"Then you cannot tell me about my people." She was disappointed. "And you," inquired the driver, "you will stay for a visit?" "A week only. But better than nothing." "After that, you return to the city?" "Yes. Madame the Countess you would know, if you were Etzel-born Madame the Countess is lady-in-waiting to Her Royal Highness, the Archduchess Annunciata." "So!" said the driver.
The march into the dining-hall between rows of bowing servants, the set conversation, led by the King, the long and tedious courses, the careful watch for precedence that was dinner at the Palace. But now all that was changed. The King did not leave his apartment. Annunciata occasionally took tea with the suite, but glad for an excuse, left the Court to dine without her.
Annunciata was asleep, and beyond, Hilda was playing dreamily, and very softly, as behooves one whose bedtime is long past. When the Countess dropped the curtain, she turned abruptly to Hedwig. "Friends, Highness? One may have friends, of course. It is not friendship they fear." "What then?" "A lover," said the Countess softly.
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