Colonel Fortescue himself, by way of setting an example, would do a sedate waltz with some matron of the post, or select a rosebud girl for a solemn set of lancers quadrilles.

Mrs.
Fortescue still held the palm as the prettiest waltzer at the post, none the less gay for being dignified.

However, the young people, except Anita, revenged themselves on the C.O.by doing, in their own drawing-rooms, all the prohibited dances.

With Anita, nothing could have induced her to do anything forbidden by the beloved of her heart--a trait not without its dangers.
Broussard was treated as a hero by everybody at the post and enjoyed it extremely, in spite of his deprecation of all praise and declaring that Gamechick was the real hero.
Among the festivities was a big dinner given at the C.O.'s fine quarters to the officers of high rank at the fort, and as a special compliment Broussard was invited, the only bachelor officer except the serious Conway, Colonel Fortescue's aide, who classified Anita with the After-Clap in point of age.
Broussard had met Anita and danced with her many times that fortnight but, with native good taste, he avoided thrusting himself upon her.
She was so calm, so well poised, that Broussard concluded she had forgotten all about the words spoken under the influence of the near presence of love and death.

In truth, Anita had forgotten nothing, but had suddenly become a woman in those few days.