midnight
He shared the quarters of an old school-friend , Paul d'Auxhillon , and rarely went on deck when it was at all probable that the women would be there . They had been steering westward over moderately calm seas for nearly a week , when , on a glorious moonlight night , the breeze stiffened , and the little vessel began to pitch on the rising waves . The cabin was close at all times , but at night Claude nearly always spent most of his time on deck . On this particular night he had no desire for sleep , and midnight found him still pacing to and fro , watching the glitter of the moonlight on the dancing waters . Just about twelve o'clock Marguerite , oppressed by the close air between decks , and rendered dizzy by the slight pitching of the vessel , stole softly from her cabin , without disturbing Marie , and sought the open air . She had not been long on deck before she became aware of the presence of a man who was not one of the common sailors . For a moment she thought the motionless figure with its back towards her was her uncle ; but a second glance told her it was De Pontbriand .