Eleven o'clock
We have already said that nothing could be more cheerful than the approach to this edifice , when , on coming from Paris , one entered it by the poorhouse yard . Thanks to a forward spring , the elms and the lindens were already beginning to shoot forth their leaves ; the large plots of grass were of a luxuriant growth ; here and there the flower beds were enameled with crocuses , primroses , and auriculas . The sun was shining brightly , and the old pensioners , dressed in gray coats , were walking up and down , or seated on the benches ; their placid countenances expressed calmness , or a kind of tranquil indifference . Eleven o'clock had just struck , when two carriages stopped before the outer gate : from the first descended Madame George , Germain , and Rigolette ; from the second , Louise Morel and her mother . Germain and Rigolette had been married a fortnight . We will leave the reader to imagine the saucy gayety , the lively happiness , which shone in the blooming visage of the grisette , whose rosy lips were only opened to smile or embrace Madame George , whom she called her mother . The features of Germain expressed a felicity more calm , more reflecting , more grave ; there was mingled with it a feeling of profound gratitude , almost of respect , toward this noble and excellent girl , who had offered him in prison consolations so sustaining and delightful , which Rigolette did not seem to recollect the least in the world ; thus , as soon as Germain turned the conversation on this subject , she spoke of something else , saying these recollections made her sad .