six o'clock
Above the obscured and huddled odium of the city the distances were clear , serene . Above the degradation ... Susan . A tyrannical desire to see her possessed him , an absolute necessity for the purification of her mere presence . Unconsciously he quickened his step , charged with purpose ; but he could n't go to the Academy now ; it was six o'clock . He must delay an hour at least . Habit prompted him to a supper which he left untried on its plates , the lighting of a cigar , quickly cold , forgot . At seven he hurried resolutely over the dark streets with the dim luminosity of occasional gas lamps floating on the unstirring white gloom .