five minutes to twelve
By the expression on the Semitic face you might have thought that Isaac Zahn was beholding some new and interesting object of natural history , instead of a ponderous and grumpy old sailor , who seemed to doubt somewhat the _ bona fides _ of the Kangaroo Bank . But the truth was that the young man was dazzled by the personality of one who might command such wealth ; it had suddenly dawned on his calculating mind that a large sum of money was standing in the name of Rose Summerhayes ; he realised with the clearness of a revelation that there were other fish than Rachel Varnhagen in the sea of matrimony . The witching hour of lunch was near at hand . Isaac glanced at the clock , the hands of which pointed to five minutes to twelve . As soon as the clock above the Post Office sounded the hour , he left the counter , which was immediately occupied by another clerk , and going to a little room in the rear of the big building , he titivated his person before a small looking-glass that hung on the wall , and then , putting on his immaculate hat , he turned his back upon the cares of business for one hour . His steps led him not in the direction of his victuals , but towards the warehouse of Joseph Varnhagen . There was no hurry in his gait ; he sauntered down the street , his eyes observing everything , and with a look of patronising good humour on his dark face , as though he would say , `` Really , you people are most amusing .