I was not surprised when young Marcus told me that our guest left for a short walk but still did not come back. I realised I did not feel at ease with him around and finally, I would be quite relieved if he left for good. Anyway, we fulfilled our duties of hospitality towards a wounded man and a guest and that was all. Now, another “duty” to be fulfilled.

I asked Marcus to prepare the litter; I was paying a visit to Vincent. Helena was coming with me. Julia did not stay for the night, she did not mention it explicitly, but I think she stayed with her "new friends" somewhere. I had a bad feeling about this.

Talking lightly of a thousand matters, Helena and I, we suddenly realised we arrived to Pompeii's quarter which was filled with the gayest shops. Their open interiors felt warm and radiant with the colors of frescoes. The sparkling fountains, the crowd of loiterers, the country girls with baskets of grapes and figues, the rays filtered by the purple awnings, all created a vivid and exciting scene and I forgot all my worries.

'By Pallas!' cried Helena, 'I forgot this is so... alive!!!' and we giggled.