From the side of the river pleasant odors came to their nostrils, the clean, sweet scents of vast, undefiled woods and prairies, the flavor of a wind blowing over wild flowers, but from the side of the city the smells were as variegated and repellent as ever.
Nevertheless the two youths turned into the city, lit faintly by the flaring oil lanterns, and walked along through one street and another seeing what they could see.

The night life was active and much of it was sodden.

Oaths played a great part in the talk they heard and intoxication was a prevalent note.

Sounds of strife, either without or within, arose now and then, but Henry and Paul, wishing to keep clear of all trouble, never stayed to see the result.

They more than suspected that knives shone too often in these orgies.
They stopped a few moments by the old church in front of the Place d'Armes.