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prison in all Florence 'Le llurate'. The Signora S. has written to the Archbishop of Florence explaining that the Professor was a Fascist as long as Fascism formed part of the King's government, but that he refused to join the new Fascist Republic. She is doing all she can, poor woman. But she cannot unwrite the many books that her husband has written.

Last night our villa was in the very centre of the artillery battle. On the Viale, cannons of every calibre are still blasting away. Yet we are told that nothing positive has been gained. The Germans are not leaving Florence; they have even returned to the S.Marco district, this side of the Ponte Rosso.

August 18th  It is said that the Germans are leaving Florence and even Fiesole of their own accord. We naturally expected a quiet night, but no, reprisal guns proved to be, if possible, even more active than before, the noise was like mountains tumbling on us from all sides. Sleep was impossible.

It appears that the Professor is now in the infirmary of the 'Murate' prison; at least there he may be taken care of.

August 19th  The artillery battle is in full swing night and day, and we are in the front line. A house not far away on the Costa S. Giorgio received twelve shells. Will Villa S.Agnese escape? 

August 20th  We hear that the Professor has been taken from the 'Murate', but to where no one knows. The Signora S. cries and wrings her hands; she upbraids us for not trying to help find her husband. She is so entirely dominated by her own emotions that it is