"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.