Atlastthebrickhousesbegantofollowoneanothermoreclosely，theearthresoundedbeneaththewheels，the“Hirondelle“
glidedbetweenthegardens，wherethroughanopeningonesawstatues，aperiwinkleplant，clippedyews，andaswing。Thenonasuddenthetownappeared。Slopingdownlikeanamphitheatre，anddrownedinthefog，itwidenedoutbeyondthebridgesconfusedly。
Thentheopencountryspreadawaywithamonotonousmovementtillittouchedinthedistancethevaguelineofthepalesky。Seenthusfromabove，thewholelandscapelookedimmovableasapicture；theanchoredshipsweremassedinonecorner，therivercurvedroundthefootofthegreenhills，andtheisles，obliqueinshape，layonthewater，likelarge，motionless，blackfishes。
Thefactorychimneysbelchedforthimmensebrownfumesthatwereblownawayatthetop。Oneheardtherumblingofthefoundries，togetherwiththeclearchimesofthechurchesthatstoodoutinthemist。Theleaflesstreesontheboulevardsmadevioletthicketsinthemidstofthehouses，andtheroofs，allshiningwiththerain，threwbackunequalreflections，accordingtotheheightofthequartersinwhichtheywere。SometimesagustofwinddrovethecloudstowardstheSaintCatherinehills，likeaerialwavesthatbrokesilentlyagainstacliff。
Agiddinessseemedtohertodetachitselffromthismassofexistence，andherheartswelledasifthehundredandtwentythousandsoulsthatpalpitatedtherehadallatoncesentintoitthevapourofthepassionsshefanciedtheirs。Herlovegrewinthepresenceofthisvastness，andexpandedwithtumulttothevaguemurmuringsthatrosetowardsher。Shepoureditoutuponthesquare，onthewalks，onthestreets，andtheoldNormancityoutspreadbeforehereyesasanenormouscapital，asaBabylonintowhichshewasentering。Sheleantwithbothhandsagainstthewindow，drinkinginthebreeze；thethreehorsesgalloped，thestonesgratedinthemud，thediligencerocked，andHivert，fromafar，hailedthecartsontheroad，whilethebourgeoiswhohadspentthenightattheGuillaumewoodscamequietlydownthehillintheirlittlefamilycarriages。