Among the many whom he had the instruction of, was one, a young lady of a noble family of Rome, named hortensia, who, notwithstanding her illustrious descent, submitted to live in a criminal intimacy with a Venetian nobleman.
"The Love Affairs of Great Musicians, Volume 1"
Rupert Hughes
The assassins being returned to Venice, reported to their employer that Stradella and hortensia had fled from Rome, and taken shelter in the city of Turin, a place where the laws were very severe, and which, excepting the houses of embassadors, afforded no protection for murderers; they represented to him the difficulty of getting these two persons assassinated, and, for their own parts, notwithstanding their engagements, declined the enterprise.
"The Love Affairs of Great Musicians, Volume 1"
Rupert Hughes
"The Duchess of Savoy was at that time regent; and she having been informed of the arrival of Stradella and hortensia, and the occasion of their precipitate flight from Rome; and knowing the vindictive temper of the Venetians, placed the lady in a convent, and retained Stradella in her palace as her principal musician.
"The Love Affairs of Great Musicians, Volume 1"
Rupert Hughes