about three o'clock
No sooner had he left than the men disposed themselves with serious faces for active work . A sympathetic feeling of devotion displayed itself . Suddenly Des Huttes , the best voice in the company of Noailles , struck up solemnly that tender reminiscence from the opera of `` Richard Coeur de Lion '' -- `` Oh , Richard , oh my King , the world forsaketh thee , '' and the Bodyguards , overcome with emotion , one and all stood still with bended heads . It was then about three o'clock . In four hours ' more the French Monarchy was to fall and the ancient _ régime _ to pass like a dream . The east wind dashed a terrible gust of rain against the windows and shook their panes like a summons . * * * * * `` Oh , Richard , oh my King , the world forsaketh thee , '' haunted Germain as he paced the Hall of the Queen 's Guards .