I noticed we never crossed the river during our silent drive.

A river has two sides, just as a street, and one of them is usually in the shade.

It was among the shadows that our business lay this evening.
"You know," said the Vicomte, as we climbed the narrow staircase of a quiet house in the neighbourhood of the great wine stores that adjoin the Jardin des Plantes--"you know that this is the day of the talkers--the Rocheforts, the Pyats--the windbags.

Mon Dieu, what nonsense! But a windbag may burst and do harm.

One must watch these gentry." Republicanism was indeed in the air at this time.