As he turned to Belle, that young lady demanded lightly: "Is that pirate one of your friends, Dave ?" "Not more so than any other comrades in the brigade," Darrin answered.
"Why ?" "Nothing, only I saw you two speaking together a little while ago----" "That was when he was asking me to present him." "Then, after you left him," continued Belle, in a low voice, "Mr.
Treadwell scowled after you as though he could have demolished you." "Why, I've no doubt Mr.Treadwell is very jealous of me," laughed Damn happily.

"Why shouldn't he be?
By the way, will you let me see your dance card?
Mr.Treadwell asked me to write his name down for one or two dances." "Please don't," begged Belle suddenly, gripping her dance card tightly.
"I hope you don't mind, Dave," she added in a whisper, "but I've taken just a shadow of a dislike to Mr.Treadwell, after the way that he scowled after you.

I--I really don't want to dance with him." Dave could only bow, which he did.

Then other midshipmen were presented.
Belle's card was quickly filled, without the appearance of Midshipman Treadwell's name on it.
The orchestra struck up.

Dave danced the first two numbers with Belle, moving through a dream of happiness as he felt her waist against his arm, one of her hands resting on his shoulder.
The second dance was a repetition of Dave's pleasure.