Our friend here speaks of you at great length, and we have been asking him why he didn't bring you around to see us.

But come," he said eagerly, "I must conduct you on a tour of inspection about my little domain.

I have read your books and I know a man like you can't help falling in love with my bells.

But we must go higher if we are really to see them." And he bounded up a staircase, while Des Hermies pushed Durtal along in front of him in a way that made retreat impossible.
As he was once more groping along the winding stairs, Durtal asked, "Why didn't you tell me your friend Carhaix--for of course that's who he is--was a bell-ringer ?" Des Hermies did not have time to answer, for at that moment, having reached the door of the room beneath the tower roof, Carhaix was standing aside to let them pass.

They were in a rotunda pierced in the centre by a great circular hole which had around it a corroded iron balustrade orange with rust.