one o'clock
At the moment he told himself that so far as it lay in his power he would henceforth separate his life from hers ; and as he made the resolution he knew that he would carry her memory like a white flame in his heart forever . An instant afterward he went from her with a smile ; and as she turned to look after him , moved by a sudden impulse , she felt a vague stir of pity for the gaunt figure passing so rapidly along the crowded street . While she watched him she remembered that there were worn places on the coat he wore , and with one of the curious eccentricities of sentiment , this trivial detail served to surround him with a peculiar pathos . At one o'clock , when Adams left his office to go home to luncheon -- a custom which he had not allowed himself to neglect since Connie 's illness -- he found Mr. Wilberforce just about to enter the building from the front on Union Square . `` Ah , I 've caught you as I meant to , '' exclaimed the older man , with the cordial enthusiasm which Adams had always found so delightful . `` It 's been so long a time since I had a talk with you that I hope you 'll come out somewhere to lunch ? '' `` I only wish I could manage it , '' replied Adams , `` but I must look in for a minute on Mrs. Adams -- she 's been ill , you know . ''