There was a moment's pause, a rasp and wrench of machinery, and the willing little cab flew off toward the nearest bridge.
Max stood watching it, obsessed by a strange sensation.

This morning he had been utterly alone; this morning the fair, cold face of Paris had been immobile and speculative.

Now a miracle had come to pass; the coldness had been swept aside and the beauty, the warm, palpitating humanity had shone into his eyes, dazzling him--fascinating him..