Mr.Preston had not supposed that Dan's former call had been intended as anything more than a pleasant social diversion.

The Prestons supposed that every one knew that their niece was betrothed to an excellent young fellow.

So, at this particular moment, Mr.Preston was engaged in sitting on a trunk, while his wife tried to turn the key in the lock.

Neither of them was favoring Midshipman Dalzell with as much as a thought.
"Why on earth is it that all girls are so tricky ?" Dan asked himself savagely, taking it for granted that all girls are "tricky" where admirers are concerned.
"Oh, my, what a laugh Davy will have over me, when he hears!" was Dan's next bitter thought, as he strode along.
Having just wronged all girls in his own estimation of them, Dan was now proceeding to do his own closest chum an injustice.

For Dave Darrin was too thorough a gentleman to laugh over any unfortunate's discomfiture.
"What a lucky escape I had from getting better acquainted with that girl!" was Dalzell's next thought.