"The truth is, we are very much occupied to-night." "I had not dreamed of it, or I would not have called," murmured Dan reddening.

"I trust you will pardon me." "There is no need of pardon, for you have not offended," smiled Mr.Preston.

"I shall be very glad to spare you half an hour, if I can interest, you." "You are very kind, sir," murmured Dan.

"And Miss Preston----" "My niece ?" "Yes, sir." "It is mainly on my niece's account that we are so busy to-night," smiled the host.
"She is not ill, sir ?" asked Dan in alarm.
"Ill! Oh, dear me, no!" Mr.Preston laughed most heartily.
"No; she is not in the least ill, Mr.Dalzell, though, on Monday, she may feel a bit nervous toward noon," "Nervous---on Monday ?" asked Dan vaguely.

It seemed rank nonsense that her uncle should be able to predict her condition so definitely on another day.
"Why, yes; Monday is to be the great day, of course." "Great day, sir?
And why 'of course' ?" inquired Dan, now as much interested as he was mystified.
"Why, my niece is to be married Monday at high noon." "Married ?" gasped Midshipman Dalzell, utterly astounded and discomfited by such unlooked-for news.
"Yes; didn't you know Miss Preston was engaged to be married ?" "I---I certainly did not," Dan stammered.
"Why, she spoke to you much of 'Oscar'-- ---" "Her brother ?" "No; the man who will be her husband on Monday," went on Mr.Preston blandly.