Summary

In Chapter 14, the following morning, Bert went to the library to familiarize herself with her family’s history. The ceiling of the library was covered with an elaborate rendering of the family tree. Basil pointed out where Bert’s name would go in the family tree and noted family trees were not just about class, but also identification. He said that form of recording family lines came from the Bible.

Basil explained the Montebianco family was created when Isabelle, from the House of Savoy, married Frederick, a goat herder, and native of Nevenero. Isabelle had been condemned to death for murder, but was instead shown mercy by being sent to Nevenero. Eleanor, a descendant of Isabelle, believed that it was Isabelle who brought the taint into the family.

Basil pointed out Bert’s family line in the tree. He noted that the...