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.