Chapter Four“It’s so beautiful!” Yola exclaimed as they drove along the wide boulevards and into the Place de la Concorde.
“It is a transformation,” the Marquis agreed, “from a half-medieval City of slums and narrow streets. And the Emperor’s vision has been amazingly well carried out by Baron Haussmann.”
He spoke with a note of respect in his voice that made Yola say almost involuntarily,
“You sound as if you admire the Emperor.”
“I certainly admire him for what he has achieved,” the Marquis replied.
“And as a man?”
The Marquis smiled as he said,
“I think I will leave you to judge His Majesty for yourself, for you will undoubtedly meet him while you are in Paris.”
“Why should you think that?” Yola asked.
The Marquis smiled again and she thought it was with mockery.
“The way you
