Chapter Five
After a drive through Rome we went up a hill, and at the top was a great palace of shining white marble. We drove in the main gate and into a courtyard. There were armed guards everywhere. One came and asked our business. Regulus and I alighted and were conducted into a large room with lots of people all conversing together, about what I had no idea. After a while I was led away, leaving Regulus behind; I never saw him again. I was taken through the palace and into a richly furnished room, the walls brightly painted, carpets on the floor, carved wooden furniture around, much of it gilded. I was told to wait. On a table was a bowl of fruit. I selected some cherries and ate them slowly. After a long time the doors were suddenly thrown open. Some soldiers entered, then some olde
