How chill, but how fresh and pleasant, felt the open air! It seemed the breath of life to me, and revived me like a potent medicine.

There was a distant, sullen murmur in the city, but around us all was still.

Above us were bright stars, but no moon.
At length we got among low dwellings, some of which had twinkling lights.

We entered a dark, narrow passage, smelling powerfully of fried fish and onions.

Some one from above said cautiously, "Who goes there ?" "La Croissette." "Who else ?" "My brother Jean." "Advance, brothers La Croissette." We ascended a mean staircase and entered a room where we found a man and woman standing beside a large basket.
"Now get you into this," said La Croissette to me, "and we will lower you from the window.