nine o'clock
And yet , somehow , they both felt that the storm was breaking , and that clear weather was at hand . There was nobody in the shop just then ; and the two , standing behind the rampart of freshly-baked cakes that was high heaped up upon the counter , embraced each other and mingled tears , which they knew -- by reason of the womanly instinct that was in them -- were tears of joy . And that very evening the prophecy of happiness that was in their joyful sorrow was happily fulfilled . Gottlieb did not return to the Café Nürnberg until after nine o'clock . With him came Herr Sohnstein . They both were very grave and silent , yet both exhibited a most curious twinklesomeness in their eyes . Neither Aunt Hedwig nor Minna could make anything of their strange mood ; and Aunt Hedwig was put to her trumps completely when she was sure that she saw her brother -- who was whispering to Herr Sohnstein behind the pie-counter -- poke the notary in the ribs .