one o'clock
In the front part of it were handsome apartments , occupied by the merchant 's family . Mr. Schröter had only been married for a very short time , his wife and child had died within the year , and his sister was now his only near relation . The merchant adhered rigidly to the old customs of the firm . All the unmarried clerks formed part of the household , and dined with him punctually at one o'clock . On the day after Anton 's arrival , a few minutes before that hour , he was taken to be introduced to the lady of the house , and gazed with wonder at the elegance and magnificence of the rooms through which he passed on his way to her presence . Sabine Schröter 's pale , delicate face , crowned with hair of raven black , shone out very fair above her graceful summer attire . She seemed about Anton 's own age , but she had the dignity of a matron .