five o'clock
No . Do your part boldly , and when that connection is fairly at an end come to me for help , and you shall have it . '' Which was all very good advice , though Mr. Gibbons gave it ; indeed it was so good , that , with a very ill-grace , Rupert at last consented to see Mr. Forde , and parted with Mortomley for that purpose . He had arranged to meet his relative at five o'clock , so that they might return to Homewood together ; and as there was no reason to hurry the impending interview between himself and the manager of the Chemical Company , as there was indeed every reason to retard its advent , he took a cheerful walk all by himself along Cheapside , through St. Paul 's Churchyard , down Ludgate Hill , over Blackfriars Bridge , whence he wended his way to Southwark Bridge _ viâ _ Bankside . When he looked at his watch in Thames Street , however , he decided his call might still be advantageously deferred for a short time longer , and he accordingly retraced his steps over Southwark Bridge , and , when he reached the Surrey side of the river , threaded his way through many a narrow lane and curious passage till he found himself in the Borough Market . By that time Mortomley must be considered to have nearly finished his business ; so , buttoning his coat tight across his chest , he gathered up his courage , drew a long breath , and stepped briskly across the bridge to St. Vedast Wharf and the interview already described . It is no exaggeration to say that when he beheld Mr. Forde take his hat and leave the office , Rupert felt that , although it might be problematical whether by that simple movement the manager had cut the knot of his own difficulties , there could be no doubt he had thereby sundered the worst entanglement in Mortomley 's path ; and it was , therefore , with a sensation of little short of despair he beheld Mr. Forde reappear and heard him inquire , `` Now , what is the meaning of all this -- how has it come about ? ''