Noon
One may try indeed to do good ! '' Jenkins gave vent to his anger in a long monologue of this character , then suddenly rousing himself , exclaimed , `` Ah , bah ! '' and what anxiety there was remaining on his brow quickly vanished on the pavement of the Place Vendome . Noon was striking everywhere in the sunshine . Issued forth from behind its curtain of mist , luxurious Paris , awake and on its feet , was commencing its whirling day . The shop-windows of the Rue de la Paix shone brightly . The mansions of the square seemed to be ranging themselves haughtily for the receptions of the afternoon ; and , right at the end of the Rue Castiglione with its white arcades , the Tuileries , beneath a fine burst of winter sunshine , raised shivering statues , pink with cold , amid the stripped trees .