Le parfum des îles Borromées

A moonlit cruise across Lake Majeur sets the scene, as the sleek steamer Reine‑Marguerite glides toward the enchanting Borromean islands. Passengers marvel at the glittering lights of villas and the fragrant laurel blossoms, while a gentle, scented breeze seems to stir something deeper within them. Amid this twilight reverie, the English poet Dante‑Léonard‑William Lee insists he has glimpsed a siren boarding the vessel, prompting his companion Gabriel Dompierre to investigate.

The two men soon spot a mysterious young woman seated among luggage, her face half‑hidden beneath a veil, accompanied by a small child and a maid. Though the dim light obscures her features, an air of otherworldly beauty surrounds her, convincing Dompierre that the poet’s vision may be more than mere fancy. As the boat draws near Baveno, the fragrant laurel scent intensifies, and the shore comes alive with elegant guests, music, and whispered conversations, hinting at the magical possibilities that await beyond the water’s edge.