Halcyone

Chapter 34

The Palace of the Czsars was lying in blazing heat when Halcyone and the

Professor decided to spend the afternoon there. People had warned them

not to get to Rome until October, but they were both lovers of the sun,

and paid no heed. It would be particularly delightful to have the

eternal city to themselves, and they had come straight down from San

Gimignano, meaning to pick up their motor again at Perugia on their way

back, as the roads to the south were so bad.

They had only arrived the evening before, and felt the Palatine hill

should be their first pilgrimage. It was completely deserted in the heat

and they wandered in peace. They had gone all through the dark rooms

which overlook the Forum, and had reached the garden upon the top, with

its cypress and cool shade. Here Halcy