"Yes, sir. Thank you for your thought of us."

"Thought of you; why, of course, thought of you. You fellows have to keep the thing going. But I say--"

"Yes, sir."

"Do I--er--do I look all right?"

The lieutenant rose, and took a turn up and down the room.

"Splendid, sir!"

"No, no; don't humbug, Smithson. Tell me the truth. It's a new uniform; does it fit all right?"

"I tell you it's splendid, sir! You couldn't look better. There will be no one in the room who can touch you."

"Think not?" said Lacey, dubiously.

"I'm sure of it, sir."

"Well, I'm glad you think so, Smithson. The colonel was here just now smoking one of those strong cigars of his. Do I smell of it?"

"I can smell scent, sir--nothing else."

"That's right. Well, he said something like you did; but I always get so nervous, and feel as if he was chaffing me. You see, I want to look well to-night. You know why, Smithson."

"Yes, sir; I can guess."

"Of course. She's coming."

"I guessed that, too, sir."

"I don't care much how I look, for dressing yourself up takes a lot of trouble, let alone the expense. I say, you do mean it, Smithson?"

"You may always believe me, sir," said d.i.c.k, quietly.

"Of course--I know that. I say, Smithson: I wish you were in the mess instead of the band."

d.i.c.k laughed feebly.

"Perhaps I'm best where I am, sir. But I must go now, and get in my place. It's close upon the time."

"By George, yes! I say, want a pair of white kids, Smithson? You'll find some in that box."

"Thanks; no, sir. I hope you'll have a pleasant evening."

"Thank you, Smithson. Keep them up to it with the waltzes."

d.i.c.k gave a hasty promise, and then hurried down and into the flower-decked vestibule, which was entered by a covered pa.s.sage festooned with lamps. Then he crossed the temporary ball-room, with its well-waxed floor, took a glance at the great marquee laid out for supper, at another arranged for tea, coffee, and ices, with various cups for the gentlemen, and beyond that at another prepared for those who chose to smoke, the whole being lit up by a blaze of light, and draped here and there with military and naval flags and cleverly-designed trophies of arms.

It was but a pa.s.sing glance, which filled d.i.c.k with a tingling of pleasure and disappointment, for he recalled the lieutenant's words about the mess. Then he hurried to his place, being the last to arrive, and found Wilkins glaring at him through his gla.s.ses.

"Late again, Smithson!" he said, harshly; and, as he spoke, the brazen voice of the clock told him he spoke falsely; for d.i.c.k was in his place to the moment, and joined in the rustling made by his comrades, as they arranged their music in accordance with the programme, and then waited patiently.

A few minutes later, the colonel and a group of officers came round to see that all was perfect, headed by the major and one of the captains, who had undertaken to see that the decorations were effective.

"Capital!" cried the colonel. "The band, with their scarlet and gold, amongst the flowers and palms, give the best bit of effect I have seen.

Yes, and those colours hang well over them."

"Glad you're satisfied," said the major.

"More," said the colonel. "By the way, Wilkins, let your men keep on their caps for the first hour--it looks more effective. When the dancing is in full swing, you can do as you like."

"Yes, sir. What I had planned," said the bandmaster, obsequiously.

They moved on, and a quarter of an hour pa.s.sed; then, according to arrangement, the bra.s.s band of the regiment struck up outside and played a selection, as the first carriages began to arrive, but only one set for fear of their strains interfering with those in the ball-room.

The first half-hour was devoted to a kind of reception, by which time the guests had grown thick enough to well fill the room, and then, punctual to the moment--dancing at nine--the band struck up, and the floor was covered with couples, the uniforms of the military and naval officers blending with the ladies' charming toilettes and flowers, and the few orthodox black dress-coats adding to, rather than detracting from, the general effect.

d.i.c.k's position at one end in the front gave him plenty of opportunity for seeing the dancers, and the simple music caused but little necessity for watching his notes, so that he was able to gaze to his heart's content at the kaleidoscopic throng, and before long had watched with some interest the tall figure of Lieutenant Lacey, wondering which of the ladies he danced with was the one they had serenaded that night.

He had settled upon one after the other, and credited the lieutenant with excellent taste; then believed he must be wrong, for, after dancing with his fourth partner--a tall, sweet-faced, graceful girl--he saw him lead her up to a thin, washed-out lady, of--well, middle age; and the next moment a sweet, silvery voice said--

"Pray, take aunt to have an ice, Lieutenant Lacey!"

The lieutenant bowed and smiled, offered his arm, and, as his partner took the elderly lady's place, the latter was led off.

"The lady of the serenade!" thought d.i.c.k, without hearing her voice.

Almost directly after, as d.i.c.k was arranging a fresh sheet of music on his desk, but watching the fair-haired, graceful girl at the same time, his heart suddenly gave a bound, for he saw the major approaching, with a handsome, manly-looking young officer, who, with a half-contemptuous smile, was listening to his companion's remarks.

They came on to where the young lady was seated not five yards away, and the next instant, as he stood there as if turned to stone, d.i.c.k heard every word spoken, and the major introducing Sir Mark Frayne to Miss Deane. Then they were left together, and Mark Frayne busily entered his name in three places upon the lady's programme, her name upon his own; after which he began creating the customary small talk, but at the same time seemed to be a good deal impressed by his new partner's personal appearance.

It might have been d.i.c.k's jealous anger which caused his thoughts to take this direction as he stood there, feeling his breath come short, and as if he must go out at once, clap his cousin on the shoulder, and say, "Here! I want to speak to you at once."

And all the while Mark was so close that nearly all his remarks and the lady's replies were perfectly audible.

As d.i.c.k still gazed, stern and forbidding-looking, Lacey came slowly back with the thin, elderly lady, and as Mark Frayne saw by his partner's look that someone was approaching, he turned sharply.

"Ah, Lacey, old fellow," he said, "I have just been securing Miss Deane for the next dance."

"Take off your cap!"

Lacey said something, but d.i.c.k did not hear what, and the niece rose to give up her place, and then accepted Mark Frayne's arm.

"Take off your cap, sir!"

"Don't forget I come next but one, Miss Deane," said Lacey.