"Oh yes, of course, but that's not the big thing after all, little girl—"
He paused and seized her hand.
She blushed and drew it gently away.
"Please—not that now—"
"Why—not now?"
He asked the question in tones so low they were almost a gasp. He felt his doom in the way she had withdrawn her hand.
"Because—" she hesitated just a moment to strike the blow she knew would hurt so pitifully and then went on firmly, "I've met my fate, Dick—and pledged him my heart."
The Captain lifted his shoulders with a little movement of soldierly pride, held himself firmly, mastered the first rush of despair and then spoke with assumed indifference:
"Socola?"