As for Margaret, she was confused and troubled.
The accident of her seizing Claudius's hand, as she had done, was a thousand times more serious than any accident to the ship.

The Doctor could not help stealing a glance at her, but he chimed in with Barker in praising the coolness of all three ladies.

Presently the Duke came back.
He had been forward by a passage that led between decks to the engine-room, where he had met the captain.

The party felt reassured as the ruddy face of their host appeared in the doorway.
"There is nothing to fear," he said cheerfully.

"But it is a horrid nuisance, all the same." "Tell us all about it," said Lady Victoria.
"Well--we have lost our means of locomotion.