Early 1838. Two wealthy Parisians, Viscount Albert de Morcerf and Baron Franz d'Epinay, were killing time in Florence, planning their trip to the Roman Carnival. Franz had lived in Italy for years and agreed to show Albert around. They'd booked rooms at the Hôtel de Londres in Rome, though the proprietor had warned them he only had two rooms left on the third floor at an exorbitant price. They'd accepted anyway.
Albert left for Naples while Franz stayed behind in Florence. After a few days exploring the city's gardens and attending parties with the local nobility, Franz got restless. He'd already visited Corsica, Napoleon's birthplace, so why not visit Elba, where the emperor had been exiled?
One evening, Franz untied a sailboat at Leghorn's docks, wrapped himself in his coat, and told the crew, "Take me to Elba."
