presents...
Today, life is good for Bernardo Donati. At the behest of his oldest brother Tomasso, eight years ago he starting pushing his legal career in the direction of the judge's bench. Last year, after many years of solid legal service to Count Barozzi, he was awarded the coveted position. Last year, he also was married to Lucia, a half-blooded strega in the count's household whom he'd met and fallen in love with. Tomasso's schemes had all been upset, but Bernardo was fairly well past caring. He'd moved into the Barozzi palazzo with Lucia and was living the good life. Why endanger life and fortune with such dangerous schemes, especially against a man as ruthless as their half-brother, Antonio? Two things threaten Bernardo's good fortune. First, he has acquired a reputation as a soft and lenient judge - he listens perhaps too closely to his brother Father Donati, who often argues on behalf of certain criminals he thinks can be reformed and redeemed. He is aware of this and is trying to fix it, but risks swinging too far the other way. Second, and perhaps more importantly, his half-brother wishes to become Viscount of Monfalcone. The viscount watches the count on the behalf of the prince; being a member of the count's court but the viscount's half-brother might put Bernardo is a bad spot. Worse, the Masacci family, also after the viscounty, might point out to the prince that Bernardo's position compromises Antonio - and that would make Antonio very, very unhappy... Bernardo found Don Tigran Mondavi's visit deeply unsettling, although not even his wife is sure why. He also hasn't been pleased to learn about the family's heritage. On the other hand, all the death-dealing scheming seems to be over and now Salvador is chasing after the viscounty instead of Antonio. More than ever, Bernardo seems like he would be happy to cut almost all ties with his family, except with his favorite brother Angelo. Bernardo's been almost a new man recently, which Angelo attributes to the news that Lucia is expecting a baby boy. The judge walks with more confidence and even carries a sword about. Whatever had shaken him when Tigran was visiting seems to be a distant memory.
Bernardo's most important Sorte strand is a Coins strand to the Count Barozzi; the count's patronage allows him to continue in his present happy life.
Photo Credit: "Moise Dreyfus," Mary Cassatt, 1879.
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