noon
He thought of them but slightly , -- he thought rather of the future . He was as one of the initiated in the old Egyptian mysteries who have crossed the gate only to long more ardently for the penetralia . He dressed himself , and was relieved to find that Mervale had joined a party of his countrymen on an excursion to Ischia . He spent the heat of noon in thoughtful solitude , and gradually the image of Viola returned to his heart . It was a holy -- for it was a HUMAN -- image . He had resigned her ; and though he repented not , he was troubled at the thought that repentance would have come too late . He started impatiently from his seat , and strode with rapid steps to the humble abode of the actress .