Chapter 1
Volume 2: 2: Cosette · Book 6: 6: Petit Picpus I
1: Petite Rue Picpus, No
Chapter 1Visible text2 paragraphs
NOTHING resembled more closely, half a century ago, the commonest porte-cochere of the time than the porte-cochere of No. 62 Petite Rue Picpus. This door was usually half open in the most attractive manner, disclosing two things which have nothing very funereal about them a court surrounded with walls bedecked with vines, and the face of a lounging porter. Above the rear wall large trees could be seen. When a beam of sunshine enlivened the court, when a glass of wine enlivened the porter, it was difficult to pass by No. 62 Petite Rue Picpus, without carrying away a pleasant idea. It was, however, a gloomy place of which you had had a glimpse.
The door smiled ; the house prayed and wept.