nearly one o'clock
To introduce Ida to his friends would be almost equivalent to avowing some conventional relations between her and himself . And , in the next place , it would be an obstacle in the way of those relations becoming anything but conventional . Well , and was not this exactly the kind of aid he needed in pursuing the course which he felt to be right ? Truly ; yet -- At this point Waymark broke into that half contemptuous , half indulgent laugh which so frequently interrupted his self-communings , and , it being nearly one o'clock , set out to call for Ida . The day was fine , and , when they left the steamer at Putney , they walked on to the heath in good spirits and with cheerful talk . To be with Ida under these circumstances , in the sunlight and the fresh breeze , was very different from sitting with her yonder in the little room , with the lamp burning on the table , and the quietness of night around . The calm pleasure of passionless intercourse was realised and sufficing .