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....

I ...