But Alphonse did not care about it.

Its solid grandeur jarred upon the frivolous little Frenchman, who said that it was all 'tres magnifique, mais triste -- ah, triste!' and went on to suggest that it would be improved if the balustrades were _gilt_.
On we went up the first flight of one hundred and twenty steps, across the broad platform joining it to the second flight, where we paused to admire the glorious view of one of the most beautiful stretches of country that the world can show, edged by the blue waters of the lake.

Then we passed on up the stair till at last we reached the top, where we found a large standing space to which there were three entrances, all of small size.

Two of these opened on to rather narrow galleries or roadways cut in the face of the precipice that ran round the palace walls and led to the principal thoroughfares of the city, and were used by the inhabitants passing up and down from the docks.

These were defended by gates of bronze, and also, as we afterwards learnt, it was possible to let down a portion of the roadways themselves by withdrawing certain bolts, and thus render it quite impracticable for an enemy to pass.