The Palace of the Caesars 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.