midday
The same day on which the conversation passed between the Baron de Graün and Murphy , Rodolph , plainly and unpretendingly dressed , wended his way about three o'clock , on a gloomy November afternoon , towards the Rue du Temple . Situated in a district of much business and dense population , the house in question had nothing remarkable in its appearance ; it was composed of a ground floor , occupied by a man keeping a low sort of dram-shop , and four upper stories , surmounted by attics . A dark and narrow alley led to a small yard , or , rather , a species of square well , of about five or six feet in width , completely destitute of either air or light , and serving as a pestilential receptacle for all the filth thrown by the various occupants of the respective chambers from the unglazed sashes with which each landing-place was provided . At the bottom of a damp , dismal-looking staircase , a glimmering light indicated the porter 's residence , rendered smoky and dingy by the constant burning of a lamp , requisite , even at midday , to enlighten the gloomy hole , into which Rodolph entered for the purpose of asking leave to view the apartment then vacant . A lamp , placed behind a glass globe filled with water , served as a reflector ; and by its light might be seen , at the far end of the `` lodge '' -LRB- as in courtesy it was styled -RRB- , a bed , covered with a sort of patchwork counterpane , exhibiting a mingled mass of every known colour and material . A walnut-tree table graced the side of the room , bearing a variety of articles suited to the taste and ornamental notions of its owners . First in order appeared a little waxen Saint John , with a very fat lamb at his feet , and a large peruke of flowing white curls on his head , the whole enclosed in a cracked glass case , the joinings of which were ingeniously secured by slips of blue paper ; secondly , a pair of old plated candlesticks , tarnished by time , and bearing , instead of lights , two gilded oranges , -- doubtless an offering to the porteress on the last New Year 's day ; and , thirdly , two boxes , the one composed of variegated straw , the other covered with multitudinous shells , but both smelling strongly of the galleys or house of correction -LSB- 10 -RSB- -LRB- let us hope , for the sake of the morality of the porteress in the Rue du Temple , that these precious specimens were not presented to her from the original owners and fabricators of them -RRB- ; and , lastly , between the two boxes , and just beneath a circular clock , was suspended a pair of red morocco dress-boots , small enough for the feet of fairies , but elaborately and skilfully designed and completed .