The go-betweens in the correspondence which ensued were the two nuns, Ottavia and Benedetta, and a certain Giuseppe Pesen, who served as letter-carrier.
Osio did not allow himself to be discouraged by a first refusal, but took the hazardous step of opening his mind to the confessor of the convent, Paolo Arrigone, a priest of San Maurizio in Milan.

Arrigone at once lent himself to the intrigue, and taught Osio what kind of letters he should write Virginia.

They were to be courteous, respectful, blending pious rhetoric with mystical suggestions of romantic passion.
It seems that the confessor composed these documents himself, and advised his fair penitent that there was no sin in perusing them.

From correspondence, Osio next passed to interviews.

By the aid of Arrigone he gained access to the parlor of the convent, where he conversed with Virginia through the bars.