Thus he could have directed his steps to any given spot without inquiring his way, and he anticipated most of the driver's explanations.

At the same time he was disconcerted by the sudden slopes, the perpetually recurring hills, on which certain districts rose, house above house, in terrace fashion.

On his right-hand clumps of greenery were now climbing a height, and above them stretched a long bare yellow building of barrack or convent-like aspect.
"The Quirinal, the King's palace," said the driver.
Lower down, as the cab turned across a triangular square, Pierre, on raising his eyes, was delighted to perceive a sort of aerial garden high above him--a garden which was upheld by a lofty smooth wall, and whence the elegant and vigorous silhouette of a parasol pine, many centuries old, rose aloft into the limpid heavens.

At this sight he realised all the pride and grace of Rome.
"The Villa Aldobrandini," the cabman called.
Then, yet lower down, there came a fleeting vision which decisively impassioned Pierre.

The street again made a sudden bend, and in one corner, beyond a short dim alley, there was a blazing gap of light.