He felt closer to her in that locality because of that.

From Euston Square he walked on aimlessly, engrossed in impossible plans for finding Sisily by hook or crook, until the illuminated dial of a street clock, pointing to half-past ten, reminded him of the passage of time.
He paused and looked round.

He was in an area of darkened suburban streets converging on a distant broader avenue, where occasional taxi-cabs slid past into the blackness of the night with the heartless velocity of years disappearing into the gulf of Time.
He turned his steps in the direction of this thoroughfare in order to find out the locality, but stopped half-way at the sight of a coffee-stall on the opposite side of the street.

He was hungry and thirsty, and he had learnt to like the safety of these places in his wanderings.

The food might be coarse, but there were no lengthy waits between courses; no curious glances from the other patrons.