the hour of nine
-- Every nameless child , so 't is said , may be a king 's son ... and I , who have no name that I can of verity call mine own -- no father -- no kith or kindred -- I would conquer a kingdom , Sue , if you but loved me too . '' His voice broke in a sob . Ashamed of his outburst he tried to hide his confusion from her , by sinking on one knee on that soft carpet of moss . From the little village of Acol beyond the wood , came the sound of the church bell striking the hour of nine . Sue was silent and absorbed , intensely sorrowful to see the grief of her friend . He was quite lost in the shadows at her feet now , but she could hear the stern efforts which he made to resume control over himself and his voice . `` Richard ... good Richard , '' she said soothingly , `` believe me , I am very , very sorry for this ... .