midday
In his room stood a rose-bush , the first buds formed themselves , and opened their red lips -- as pure and tender as these leaves was Sophie 's cheek : he bent over the flower , smiled and read there sweet thoughts which were related to his love . A rose-bud is a sweet mystery . `` The myriad leaves enmaze Small labyrinthine ways Where spicy odor flows , Thou lovelv bud o ' the rose ! '' The day came on which Otto , after he had comfortably terminated his visits of leave-taking , at midday , in the company of three young students travelled away through Zealand . They had taken a carriage together as far as Slagelse , where , like Abraham 's and Lot 's shepherds , they should separate to the right and left . Otto remained alone , in order to travel post that night to Nyborg . It was only four o'clock in the afternoon , Otto had no acquaintance here , therefore it was but to take a walk .