However, at one turn of the road they passed a monumental fountain.

Then a flock of sheep momentarily barred the way before defiling past.

And beyond the gentle undulations of the ruddy Campagna Rome appeared amidst the violet vapours of evening, sinking by degrees as the carriage itself descended to a lower and lower level.

There came a moment when the city was a mere thin grey streak, speckled whitely here and there by a few sunlit house-fronts.

And then it seemed to plunge below the ground--to be submerged by the swell of the far-spreading fields.
The victoria was now rolling over the plain, leaving the Alban hills behind, whilst before it and on either hand came the expanse of meadows and stubbles.