Amidst the enchanting ruins of Rome, two women reflect on a friendship that was more circumstantial than heartfelt. Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley, both widowed and residing across from one another in New York, find themselves together once again, watching over their daughters in the eternal city. As the story unfolds, hidden secrets from the past bubble to the surface, challenging the fabric of their long-standing acquaintance.

The Setting and Characters

Sitting on the terrace of a Roman restaurant, Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley enjoy the view of the city that holds their shared history. Their friendship, forged in their youth during a holiday in Rome, has endured over the years despite the absence of deep affection. Now, in the 1920s, their lives intersect once more in Rome, each accompanied by her daughter—Jenny Slade and Barbara Ansley. Jenny, conservative and demure, is a stark contrast to her mother. Meanwhile, the vibrant and theatrical Barbara seems to inherit neither parent’s disposition completely.

An Afternoon of Reminiscence

As Jenny and Barbara venture off with some Italian aviators, Mrs. Slade and Mrs. Ansley find themselves alone together, peering over the ancient ruins of the Forum and Colosseum. Their conversation meanders through past memories, revealing a tapestry of lives lived in parallel. Both women, having become widows around the same time, share a similarity in circumstance. Mrs. Slade, widow to a corporate lawyer, finds herself yearning for the excitement her former life once held. She underestimates Mrs. Ansley’s contentment, dismissing her life as dull and uneventful, akin to "museum specimens of old New York." In turn, Mrs. Ansley perceives an unhappiness brewing beneath her friend's composed facade.

The Revelation of Past Illness

The afternoon’s tranquil air is tinged with nostalgia as Mrs. Slade recalls the winter they spent together in Rome. During that time, Mrs. Ansley fell severely ill after an outing to the Colosseum after sunset, despite the season being unfavorable for malaria. Mrs. Slade recounts the incident in detail, noting how the Roman air could still wreak havoc on one's health.

Unveiling Old Secrets

Eager to unsettle her companion, Mrs. Slade confesses she knows why Mrs. Ansley visited the Colosseum that fateful night. Producing the memory of a letter, she reveals its content—a plea for a clandestine meeting with Delphin Slade, then her fiancé. Stunned, Mrs. Ansley questions how Mrs. Slade could know of such a letter, only to learn that Mrs. Slade herself had penned it. Fueled by insecurity, Mrs. Slade hoped the escapade would keep Grace, whom she perceived as a rival for Delphin's affections, at bay.

Confronting the Consequences

The revelation shatters Mrs. Ansley, as it taints what she held as a treasured memory. She laments, "It was the only letter I had, and you say he didn’t write it?" The anguish reveals that Delphin still occupies a place in her heart. Mrs. Slade, experiencing a pang of regret, defends her past actions, claiming ignorance to the depth of Grace’s feelings, pointedly remarking on Grace's swift marriage to Mr. Ansley soon after.

Twists of Fate

Mrs. Slade insists the letter was a harmless prank, reminiscing about her amusement at Grace’s expense. But Mrs. Ansley interrupts, revealing she did not wait in vain; Delphin had met her as planned. Startled, Mrs. Slade accuses her of fabricating events, but Mrs. Ansley remains firm, having answered the letter and met Delphin that night. Despite Mrs. Slade’s attempt to dismiss the encounter, insisting she had Delphin for a lifetime, Mrs. Ansley’s quiet response, "I had Barbara," delivers the final, unexpected twist.