The crowd began to break up, and the people went off singing. Rossi and

his group of friends had disappeared when Roma turned to go. She found

herself weeping and singing, too, but for another reason. The danger was

passed, and all was over!

Going out by one of the arches, she was conscious of somebody walking

beside her. Presently a voice said: "You don't recognise me in the darkness, Donna Roma?"

It was Charles Minghelli. He had been told to take care of her. Could he

offer her his escort home?

"No, thank you," she replied, and she was surprised at herself that she

experienced no repulsion.

Her heart was light, a great weight had been lifted away, and she felt a

large and generous charity. At the top of the hill she found a cab, and

as it dipped down the broad avenue that leads out of the circle of the

dead centuries into the world of living men, she turned and looked back

at the Coliseum. It was like a dream. The moving lights--the shadows of

great heads on the grim old walls--the surging crowds--the cheers from

hoarse throats. But the tinkle of the electric tram brought her back to

reality, and then she noticed that it had begun to snow.

* * * * *

Bruno ploughed a way for David Rossi, and they reached home at last.

Elena was standing at the door of David Rossi's rooms, with an agitated

face.

"Have you seen anything of Joseph?" she asked.

"Joseph?"

"I opened the window to look if you were coming, and in a moment he was

gone. On a night like this, too, when it isn't too safe for anybody to

be in the streets."

"Has he still got the clothes on?" said Bruno.

"Yes, and the naughty boy has broken his promise and must be whipped."

The men looked into each other's faces.

"Donna Roma?" said Rossi.

"I'll go and see," said Bruno.

"I must have a rod, whatever you say. I really must!" said Elena.

VII

Roma reached home in a glow of joy. She told herself that Rossi would

come to her in obedience to her command. He must dine with her to-night.

Seven was now striking on all the clocks outside, and to give him time

to arrive she put back the dinner until eight. Her aunt would dine in

her own room, so they would be quite alone. The conventions of life had

fallen absolutely away, and she considered them no more.

Meantime she must dress and perhaps take a bath. A certain sense of

soiling which she could not conquer had followed her up from that

glorious meeting. She felt a little ashamed of it, but it was there, and

though she told herself "They were his people, poor things," she was

glad to take off the clothes she had worn at the Coliseum.




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