midnight
`` I see no grounds of concern where we are , so long as we can keep the ship off the shore . The Arabs have no boats , and if they had , they would not dare to attack a vessel that floated , in one , unless aware of her being as truly helpless as we happen at this moment to be . '' `` This is a chilling consolation , but I shall trust in your good care , gentlemen . Mademoiselle , it is drawing near midnight , I believe . '' Eve and her companion then courteously wished the two young men good night , and retired to their state-rooms ; Mr. Sharp remained an hour longer with Mr. Blunt , who had undertaken to watch the first few hours , conversing with a light heart , and gaily ; for , though there was a secret consciousness of rivalry between these two young men on the subject of Eve 's favour , it was a generous and manly competition , in which each did the other ample justice . They talked of their travels , their views of customs and nations , their adventures in different countries , and of the pleasure each had felt in visiting spots renowned by association or the arts ; but not a word was hazarded by either concerning the young creature who had just left them , and whom each still saw in his mind 's eye , long after her light and graceful form had disappeared . At length Mr. Sharp went below , his companion insisting on being left alone , under the penalty of remaining up himself during the second watch .