Twelve o'clock
Only by sacrificing himself ; by sacrificing himself absolutely . Was he prepared to do this ? As he thought and Cecile slept , a great clock from the not far distant village struck twelve . Twelve o'clock ! In four hours now Anton would return for his answer -- what should it be ? To sacrifice Maurice -- that would be impossible . Even for one instant to contemplate sending little baby , spoiled Maurice to endure the life he had led , to bear the blows , the cruel words , the starvations , the bad company that he had endured would be utterly impossible .