about half past
five
This rebuff somewhat cooled the ardor of Joseph 's attachment , and as he felt sure that Fanny had told her father of his coming , he from that time disliked her as much as he had before admired her . Not long after the sad finale of his affaire de coeur , he left his home in the country , and going to Frankfort became a clerk in the post office . Julia well knew the old grudge which he had toward Fanny , and as he did not possess the best principles in the world , she had strong hopes of procuring his services for the accomplishment of her purpose . Accordingly , at about half past five she bent her steps in the direction of the post office , hoping to see him in the street , for she knew that he usually went to his supper at that hour . She had not gone far beyond the post office when he overtook her . She greeted him with her blandest smile , and as she seemed inclined to be very sociable , he slackened his pace for the sake of walking with her . They had not proceeded far when she said , `` Mr. Dunn , if you are not in a particular hurry , I should like to have you walk on with me , as I have something to communicate to you . ''