The two d'Arxel sisters, orphans, were Belgian by birth, but of Dutch and Protestant ancestry.

The elder, Maria, after a peculiar and romantic courtship, had married the old Italian philosopher Giovanni Selva, who would be famous in his own country, did Italians take a deeper interest in theological questions; for Selva is perhaps the truest representative of progressive Catholicism in Italy.

Maria had become a Roman Catholic before her marriage.

The Selvas spent the winter in Rome, the rest of the year at Subiaco.

Noemi, who had remained true to the faith of her fathers, divided her time between Brussels and Italy.