midday
The change visible in her was more , he fancied , than could be due to the mere lapse of time ; during her silences , she had the look of one familiar with mental conflict , perhaps of one whose pride had suffered an injury . The one or two glances which he ventured whilst she was talking with the man who succeeded to his place beside her , perceived a graver countenance , a reserve such as she had not used with him ; and of this insubstantial solace he made a sort of hope which winged the sleepless hours till daybreak . He had permission to call upon Mrs. Borisoff at times alien to polite routine . Thus , when nearly a week had passed , he sought her company at midday , and found her idling over a book , her seat by a window which viewed the Thames and the broad Embankment with its plane trees , and London beyond the water , picturesque in squalid hugeness through summer haze and the sagging smoke of chimneys numberless . She gave a languid hand , pointed to a chair , gazed at him with embarrassing fixity . `` I do n't know about the Castle , '' were her first words . `` Perhaps I shall give it up . ''