about noon
Being well acquainted with the mother 's temperament , he guessed the present situation of her thoughts , and concluding she would make the jeweller a party in her revenge , he resolved from that moment to discontinue his visits , and cautiously guard against any future interview with the lady whom he had rendered so implacable . It was well for our adventurer that his good fortune so seasonably interposed ; for that same day , in the afternoon , he was favoured with a billet from the jeweller 's wife , couched in the same tender style she had formerly used , and importing an earnest desire of seeing him next day at the wonted rendezvous . Although his penetration was sufficient to perceive the drift of this message , or at least to discern the risk he should run in complying with her request , yet he was willing to be more fully certified of the truth of his suspicion , and wrote an answer to the billet , in which he assured her , that he would repair to the place of appointment with all the punctuality of an impatient lover . Nevertheless , instead of performing this promise , he , in the morning , took post in a public-house opposite to the place of assignation , in order to reconnoitre the ground , and about noon had the pleasure of seeing the German , wrapped in a cloak , enter the door of his wife 's she-friend , though the appointment was fixed at five in the evening . Fathom blessed his good angel for having conducted him clear of this conspiracy , and kept his station with great tranquillity till the hour of meeting , when he beheld his enraged Thalestris take the same route , and enjoyed her disappointment with ineffable satisfaction . Thus favoured with a pretext , he took his leave of her , in a letter , giving her to understand , that he was no stranger to the barbarous snare she had laid for him ; and upbraiding her with having made such an ungrateful return for all his tenderness and attachment . She was not backward in conveying a reply to this expostulation , which seemed to have been dictated in all the distraction of a proud woman who sees her vengeance baffled , as well as her love disdained .