twelve o'clock
Lady Victoria and the Duke laughed , but Margaret said `` Good morning '' without a smile . Barker immediately abandoned the subject and talked about the weather , which is a grand topic when there is enough of it . It was clear by this time that they had passed through a violent storm , which had gone away to southward . The sea was heavy of course , but the wind had moderated , and by twelve o'clock the yacht was running between nine and ten knots , with a stiff breeze on her quarter and all sails set . The Duke was extremely attentive to Margaret all that day , rarely leaving her side , whether she was below or on deck ; bringing her books and rugs , and adjusting her chair , and altogether performing the offices of a faithful slave and attendant . Whenever Claudius came within hail the Duke would make desperate efforts to be animated , lengthening his sentences with all the vigorous superlatives and sledge-hammer adverbs he could think of , not to mention any number of `` you knows . '' His efforts to be agreeable , especially when there appeared to be any likelihood of Claudius coming into the conversation , were so palpable that Margaret could not but see there was a reason for the expenditure of so much energy .