noon
But , the moment he was outside , he assumed once more his laughing and cordial expression , being of those who , in the streets , go masked . The morning was advancing . The mist , still perceptible in the vicinity of the Seine , floated now only in shreds and gave a vaporous unsubstantiality to the houses on the quay , to the river steamers whose paddles remained invisible , to the distant horizon in which the dome of the Invalides hung poised like a gilded balloon with a rope that darted sunbeams . A diffused warmth , the movement in the streets , told that noon was not far distant , that it would be there directly with the striking of all the bells . Before going on to the Nabob 's , Jenkins had , however , one other visit to make . But he appeared to find it a great nuisance . However , since he had made the promise !