First there was a yell and a roll of drums at the end by which I had entered.

Then every window seemed alive with people, straining forward with howls and execrations and clenched fists.

From every door below poured forth a crowd, who fought with one another for a place next the roadway, waved their red caps, and shouted in a wild sort of chant some French song.

In the rush stalls and barrows were overturned, but there was no one to heed; children were trampled on, but no one heard their cries; pockets were picked, but there was no one to miss their loss; windows were smashed, but there was no one to feel a draught.

To my wondering fancy, all Paris had suddenly turned into this narrow Rue d'Agnes and there run mad.
I noticed that the one thing all were agreed upon, was to keep a clear space in the roadway, and strain their necks impatiently in the direction of the drums; and soon enough the reason of all this excitement became clear.