midnight
The rage of the elements , abating at last a trifle , had far exceeded the Captain 's expectations . And when at length the center was passed , and comparative ease had supervened , the wind was still a considerable gale , while the sea would run high till nearly morning . The passengers , however , were sufficiently assured to retire at a fairly early hour . Elaine had readily responded to Grenville 's matter-of-fact instructions , and , long before midnight , was fitfully sleeping , although she had not undressed . When eight bells struck from the bridge somewhere above him , Grenville still sat on the edge of his berth , rumpling his hair with one vigorous hand , while the other prisoned a book on his knee with a piece of white paper upon it . The paper was literally covered with mechanical designs and hieroglyphics , involved in his latest problem . He arose at last , removed his coat , and began to fumble with his tie .