It had ended bitterly; though at the time he could never come up with a reason not to, he could not bring himself to propose. She had not taken hold of him; he could see now that that was the problem. And so he left the tears and fury in Milan and took the train down to Rome.
In the story, the protagonist reflects on his relationship, which ended in bitterness. Despite having the opportunity to propose, he found himself unable to do so, realizing that his partner had never truly captivated him. This lack of deep connection became apparent in hindsight and plagued his thoughts.
Choosing to escape the emotional turmoil he felt in Milan, he made the decision to travel to Rome, seeking respite from the pain of their unresolved feelings. The train journey symbolizes a physical and emotional transition away from the hurtful memories, as he attempts to leave behind the sorrow and confusion he experienced.
