He had been so sure of "Miss" Henshaw's being a splendid woman---as, indeed, she was---that he decided on this, their third meeting, to try his luck with a sailor's impetuous wooing.

In other words, he had plumply asked the admiral's wife to marry him; "Why, you silly boy!" remonstrated Mrs.Henshaw, glancing up at him with a dismayed look.

"I don't know your exact age, Mr.Dalzell, but I think it probable that I am at least ten years older than---" "I don't care," Dan maintained bravely.
"Besides, what would the admiral say ?" "Is he your father or your brother ?" Dan inquired.
"My husband!" Then it was that Midshipman Dalzell's face had gone so suddenly gray.

He fairly gasped and felt as though he were choking.
"Mr.Dalzell," spoke Mrs.Henshaw, earnestly, "let us both forget that you ever spoke such unfortunate words.

Let us forget it all, and let it pass as though nothing had happened at all.