The labyrinthine streets lined with merchants and buyers, all shouting to be heard over each other, and the noise of the iron wheels on the cobbled roads contributed to a din which all but took the breath away, and caused Elizabeth to wonder aloud how anyone could find such a continuous assault on his senses supportable. The society of cafés and display dominated Paris, and the chatter emanating from the thousands of those walking, driving, drinking, and dining along the boulevards and open shops mingled in a general cacophony that rendered the similar scenes of London ordered and sedate, in comparison. Darcy, who had visited this city of juxtapositions before, anticipated both the noise and the odours, but even the lenient Miss Darcy exclaimed at the great difference between a written account of the delights of the city and the city itself.

By this time, the exertion of managing a large chaise-and-four through the centre of Paris was wearying Mr. Harmon and his horses, and the under-coachman driving the servants’ coach looked as if he were about to succumb at any moment, but was kept aright only by his indecision as to the agency of his infirmity, whether it be the noise, odours, throngs of people who were vying with the vehicles for their share of the street, the animals, hand-carts, the other drivers who seemed quite heedless of their own safety—and entirely regardless of what or who they were carrying, the sheer bombardment upon the sensibilities of a young man from rural England, or some ambitious combination thereof. The carriages clattered up the Rue Royale and thence, to everyone’s relief, stopt before their hôtel.

As the horses slowed to a standstill before L’Hôtel de Londres, Elizabeth and Georgiana happened to look at one another and sighed with relief in unison. The Darcy party, at long last, walked out of their carriage, laughing at what they and their entourage must look like after weeks of travel, and the battles between the customs-men, themselves, and their baggage. Stopping just outside, Georgiana took Elizabeth’s arm, remarking on the beautiful buildings.

“I have never seen the like of their construction; it is as though they have been conjured up out of the ground. And, Elizabeth—the dresses worn by the ladies—I have never seen such lovely silks and so finely worn! Even my newest dresses seem plain in comparison! I believe that I may appear anywhere without trepidation. No-one will look twice at me, when there is so much beauty and finery to be seen in every direction. I believe that I may be safely invisible in Paris.”