Those around the monument illuminated its gigantic bases and the feet of the sculptured groups.

Further up, the vaulted spaces were so locked in shadow that they had the black density of ebony.
Upon passing under the Arch, which greatly intensified the echo of their footsteps, they came to a standstill.

The night breeze had a wintry chill as it whistled past, and the curved masses seemed melting into the diffused blue of space.

Instinctively the three turned to glance back at the Champs Elysees.

They saw only a river of shadow on which were floating rosaries of red stars among the two long, black scarfs formed by the buildings.