This transpires in the letters which Samminiati addressed to her through Dati from his asylum in Venice.

They reveal, says Signor Bonghi, a strange confusion of madness, crime, and love.[194] [Footnote 194: Here again I have very closely followed the text of Signor Bonghi's monograph, pp.

112-115.] Their style is that of a delirious rhetorician.

One might fancy they had been composed as exercises, except for certain traits which mark the frenzy of genuine exaltation.

Threats, imprecations, and blasphemies alternate with prayers, vows of fidelity and reminiscences of past delights in love.