He knew that however much he might enjoy their society, they had nothing in common with him, and that it was only his own strange fortune that had suddenly transported him into the very midst of a sphere where such characters were the rule and not the exception.
The conversation languished, and Claudius left the Duke and Barker, and went towards his quarters.

It was a warm night for the Atlantic, and though there was no moon, the stars shone out brightly, their reflection moving slowly up and down the slopes of the long ocean swell.

Claudius walked aft, and was going to sit down for a few minutes before turning in, when he was suddenly aware of a muffled female figure leaning against the taffrail only a couple of paces from where he was.

In spite of the starlight he could not distinguish the person.

She was wrapped closely in a cloak and veil, as if fearing the cold.