But Monsieur Madinier, already up on the first landing with Madame Lorilleux, called to them, shouting beneath the vaulted ceiling: "Come along! They're nothing, all those things! The things to see are on the first floor!" The severe barrenness of the staircase made them very grave.

An attendant, superbly attired in a red waistcoat and a coat trimmed with gold lace, who seemed to be awaiting them on the landing, increased their emotion.

It was with great respect, and treading as softly as possible, that they entered the French Gallery.
Then, without stopping, their eyes occupied with the gilding of the frames, they followed the string of little rooms, glancing at the passing pictures too numerous to be seen properly.

It would have required an hour before each, if they had wanted to understand it.

What a number of pictures! There was no end to them.