"Why mistaken?"
"Because that first impression of Rome, as hard and unfeeling, is always the same and always mistaken."
"Yes, it's that. Look, we are driving by the Forum. Whenever I see the Forum, I think of Miss Hope and her orange lining."
He felt annoyed and did not answer.
"This is the Palatine."
They alighted and passed through the entrance.
"This wooden staircase takes us to the Palace of Tiberius. Above the palace, on the top of the arches, is a garden from which we look down on the Forum."
"Tell me about Tiberius. I know that there were good and bad emperors. We were taught that at school. Tiberius was a bad emperor, wasn't he?"
"He was a gloomy brute. But why do you want me to tell you about him?"
"Because otherwise I can take no interest in those arches and chambers."