twelve o'clock
No one could foretell the victor , though any one could easily have pointed out the poor victim . After ten o'clock the conversation was conducted almost entirely by Williams and Dic , with a low monosyllable now and then from Rita when addressed . She , poor girl , was too sleepy to talk , even to Dic . Soon after twelve o'clock the knight from Blue , pitying her , showed signs of surrender ; but she at once awoke and mutely gave him to understand that she would hold him craven should he lower his lance point while life lasted . The clock struck one . The champions had exhausted all modern topics and were beginning on old Rome . Dic wondered what would be the hour when they should reach Greece and Egypt in their backward flight .