"Good afternoon, Mr.Dalzell.

Mrs.Stearns and I would be greatly pleased if you could take dinner with us.

Couldn't you come next Sunday ?" The two midshipmen were astonished and delighted at this invitation.
While it was not uncommon for officers to invite midshipmen to their homes, where there were so many midshipmen, it was as a rule only the young men who made themselves prominent socially who captured these coveted invitations.

Darrin and Dalzell concealed their surprise, but expressed their pleasure in accepting the gracious invitation.
On entering Mrs.Stearns' drawing room the next Sunday Mr.Darrin and Mr.Dalzell were introduced to two pretty girls.

Miss Flora Gentle was a cousin of their hostess.