How was it that she had read so many books on the Philippines?
"When did you begin your study of the Philippines ?" asked the wily Broussard.
"Only since January," answered Anita; and realizing that she had unconsciously revealed a great secret she lowered her lashes and turned her violet eyes away from Broussard.
That night, over his last cigar in his room at the officers' club, Broussard began to plan a regular campaign for Anita against Colonel Fortescue.

But ever in the midst of it would come those sweet inadvertent words of Anita's and Broussard would fall into a delicious reverie with which Colonel Fortescue had no part.

But then Broussard would come back to the real business of the matter--outgeneralling Colonel Fortescue--for everybody knew how devoted Anita was to her father and Broussard considered the C.O.as a lion in his path.

Of course, the old curmudgeon, as Broussard in his own mind called the Colonel, would rake up a lot of imaginary objections--he always was a martinet, and would be a stiff proposition to master in the present emergency.
Broussard was tolerably certain of Mrs.Fortescue's assistance, who was an open and confessed sentimentalist, and was generally understood to be the guardian angel of all the love affairs at Fort Blizzard.

Beverley Fortescue might be reckoned as a neutral, being himself in the toils of Sally Harlow, who was Anita's age.