two o'clock
be silent . '' On came the steamer , which Electra 's untrained eyes , almost blinded by spray , could barely discern ; and her heart beat like a muffled drum as it drew nearer and nearer . Once she heard a low , chuckling laugh of satisfaction escape the captain ; then , with startling distinctness , the ringing of a bell was borne from the steamer 's deck . `` Four bells -- two o'clock . How chagrined they will be to-morrow , when they find out they passed me without paying their respects ! '' whispered the captain . Gradually the vessel receded , the dark mass grew indistinct , the light flickered , and was soon lost to view , and the sound of the labouring machinery was drowned in the roar of the waves .