The ball room was a scene of glory that night. Bright eyes shone unwontedly, and many a heart fluttered. For Belle Meade was not the only girl there who was betrothed to a midshipman. Any graduate who chose might marry as soon as he pleased, but nearly all the men of the class preferred to wait until they had put in their two years at sea and had won their commissions as ensigns.
"This must be a night of unalloyed pleasure to you," murmured
Belle, as she and her young officer sweetheart sat out one dance.
"You can look back over a grand four years of life here."
"I don't know that I'd have the nerve to go through it all again,"
Darrin answered her honestly.
"You don't have to," Belle laughed happily. "You put in your later boyhood here, and now your whole life of manhood is open before you."
"I'll make the best use of that manhood that is possible for me,"
Dave replied solemnly.
"You must have formed some wonderful friendships here."
"I have."
"And, I suppose," hesitated Belle, "a few unavoidable enmities."
"I don't know about that," Dave replied promptly and with energy. "I can't think of a fellow here that I wouldn't be ready and glad to shake hands with. I hope—-I trust—-that all of the fellows in the brigade feel the same way about me."