No. 3.—Deposition of Francesca as to the letters asserted to have been written by her to Abate Franceschini, and previously outlined by her husband; recorded in the prosecution brought for her pretended flight.
March 21, 1697 [for May.]
Francesca Comparini, when under oath, etc., when questioned whether she had ever sent any letter to Abate Franceschini here in the City, while she lived in Arezzo, replied:
While I was in Arezzo I wrote at the instance of my husband, to my brother-in-law Abate Franceschini here in Rome; but as I did not know how to write, my husband formed the letters with a pencil and then he made me trace it with a pen and ink it with my own hand. And he told me that his brother had taken pleasure in receiving such a letter of mine, written by myself. This happened two or three times.
When questioned whether, if she should see one of the letters written as is told above, and sent to the City to the same Abate Franceschini, she would recognise it, etc.
She replied: If your Honour would cause me to see one of the letters written by me, as above, and sent to Abate Franceschini, I should recognise it very well.
And when at my command the letter was shown to her, about which there was discussion in the prosecution, and which begins Carissimo Cognato sono con questa, and ends, etc., Arezzo 14 Giugnio 1694, affetionatissima Serva, e Cognata Francesca Comparini ne Franceschini.
She responded: I have seen and have examined carefully this letter shown me by the order of your Honour, which begins Carissimo Signor Cognato sono con questa, etc., and ends Francesca Comparini, ne Franceschini, and having looked at it, I think, but cannot swear to it as the truth, that this is one of the letters written by me to my brother-in-law, Abate Franceschini, in conformity [to my husband's wishes] as is said above.
No. 4.—The tenor of the letter written as above to Abate Franceschini.
Dearest Brother-in-law: