midday
His words had the power of thumb-screws and the cold touch of the rock . To resist was to act like a stupid animal unable to measure results . So the boat was ordered . She even went down to the quay again with him to see it before midday . Grandcourt had recovered perfect quietude of temper , and had a scornful satisfaction in the attention given by the nautical groups to the _ milord _ , owner of the handsome yacht which had just put in for repairs , and who being an Englishman was naturally so at home on the sea that he could manage a sail with the same ease that he could manage a horse . The sort of exultation he had discerned in Gwendolen this morning she now thought that she discerned in him ; and it was true that he had set his mind on this boating , and carried out his purpose as something that people might not expect him to do , with the gratified impulse of a strong will which had nothing better to exert itself upon . He had remarkable physical courage , and was proud of it -- or rather he had a great contempt for the coarser , bulkier men who generally had less .