The Heart of Rome: A Tale of the "Lost Water"

The Heart of Rome: A Tale of the "Lost Water" is a novel by Francis Marion Crawford, first published in 1903. Set in Rome, the story weaves together mystery, romance, and historical intrigue, centered around the legendary "Lost Water"-an ancient underground aqueduct said to run beneath the city.

The novel follows Sabina Conti, a young and impoverished noblewoman who lives in a decaying palace in Rome. Her family's fortunes have dwindled, and their once-great home is now nearly uninhabitable. Beneath the palace, however, flows the mythical "Lost Water," a hidden stream that could hold the key to restoring Sabina's family wealth.

When Clement Lambert, an American engineer, arrives in Rome, he becomes entangled in Sabina's plight. Lambert is fascinated by the legend of the Lost Water and believes he can locate it using modern engineering techniques. Meanwhile, Baron Volterra, a cunning and unscrupulous financier, schemes to seize Sabina's property, knowing the value of the hidden water source.

As Sabina and Lambert work together to uncover the secret of the Lost Water, they face danger, betrayal, and the machinations of those who would exploit the ancient treasure for their own gain.

The Heart of Rome remains an engaging historical novel, showcasing his skill in blending romance, intrigue, and Italian settings.

About the Author

Francis Marion Crawford (1854-1909) was a prolific American writer, best known for his numerous novels and classic weird and fantastical stories. Born in Italy, he spent much of his life abroad, particularly in Italy, which became the setting for many of his works.

Crawford was born in Bagni di Lucca, Italy, the only son of American sculptor Thomas Crawford. He received a diverse education, studying at St. Paul's School, Cambridge University, the University of Heidelberg, and the University of Rome. In 1879, he traveled to India, where he studied Sanskrit and edited the Allahabad Indian Herald. Upon returning to America, he continued his Sanskrit studies at Harvard and contributed to various periodicals.

His literary career took off with the publication of his first novel, Mr. Isaacs (1882), which quickly achieved success. This was followed by Doctor Claudius (1883). In 1883, he returned to Italy, where he resided permanently, eventually purchasing and remodeling the Villa Renzi, which became Villa Crawford, in Sant'Agnello. He also wrote historical works, including Ave Roma Immortalis (1898) and The Rulers of the South (1900).

Crawford was incredibly prolific, producing some forty novels and a play. At the height of his career, his books outsold those of any other contemporary fiction writer in England or the United States. He died in 1909 in Sorrento, Italy.