"Yes, it is rather different to the view from the top of the tower
of Notre Dame, which I ascended while I was staying in Paris.
But this sort of building is best here; the thickness of the stone
roofs keeps out the heat of the sun, and it is only when it is
almost overhead that it shines down into the narrow streets. As you
can see by the number of the people on the roofs, they use them
as a resort in the evening. Then carpets are spread, and they
receive visitors, and can talk to their neighbours over the low
walls that separate the roofs. You can trace the divisions. Some
of the house roofs are larger than others, but all are upon the
same level; this being the regulation, in order that there might
be free passage everywhere for the troops."

By the time they had made the circuit of the walls darkness had
fallen, and concealed the martial features of the scene. Lights
twinkled everywhere upon the stone terraces; the sound of lutes and
other musical instruments came up softly on the still air, with
the hum of talk and laughter. The sea lay as smooth as a mirror,
and reflected the light of the stars, and the black hulls of the
galleys and ships in the harbour lay still and motionless.

Greatly pleased with his first experience of the city that was to
be his future home, Gervaise returned, with his companions, to
the auberge of Auvergne.

The next morning the bailiff D'Aubusson bade Gervaise accompany
him to the palace of the grand master. Here he introduced him to
Orsini, an old and feeble man, who, after a few kind words, handed
him over to the chamberlain, who, in turn, led him to the official