Section 5, Pages 59-101 Summary

Vanna goes to visit Marcella Sarta for news of her husband, Carlo. Massimo answers the door and ushers her in because they cannot speak in the hallway without being overheard by the neighbors. Vanna is surprised that Massimo knows who she is. Marcella calms Vanna's fears by assuring her that Massimo knows everything about Carlo's situation because he is Carlo's closest friend. Vanna suggests that maybe Carlo will come home. Marcella immediately says he will never return. As Vanna has not heard any news in three months, she turns to Marcella in hopes that Marcella knows something. Marcella tells her that she does not have any more information than Vanna has.

The women argue over Carlo, his political involvement and subsequent exile. Vanna is jealous and believes that there may be more going on between Marcella and her husband...