noon
It would be necessary to write and appoint an interview before going down into Essex . He had several calls to make in London ; if Macleod did not see him before , they should meet at seven for dinner . Macleod saw him depart without any great regret . When he himself went outside it was already noon , but the sun had not yet broken through the mist , and London seemed cold , and lifeless , and deserted . He did not know of any one of his former friends being left in the great and lonely city . He walked along Piccadilly , and saw how many of the houses were shut up . The beautiful foliage of the Green Park had vanished ; and here and there a red leaf hung on a withered branch .