The Colonel behaved better than anybody expected.

When he had given his formal consent, Anita slipped behind his chair and said to him softly: "Daddy, I made up my mind when I was a little girl, a long time ago, that I would never marry any man that was not as good as you, my darling daddy!" Fond fathers are generally won by these tender pleas.

Broussard turned his head away as the Colonel drew his daughter to him; the passion of father-love was too sacred even for the eyes of a lover.

On the way out they met Sergeant McGillicuddy, who tried to look unconscious.
"Congratulate me!" cried Broussard.
"I do, sir," replied the Sergeant, solemnly, "and if I may make bold to say it, the Colonel will make a father-in-law-and-a-half, sir." This was enigmatic, but Broussard was too happy then to study enigmas.
That night, when the Colonel, limping a little, entered the ballroom he leaned upon Beverley's strong young arm, while on the other side was Mrs.Fortescue, always particularly radiant in evening dress.
Broussard and Anita walked behind them.

The news, as rashly announced by the After-Clap, that Mr.Broussard had kissed Anita, had spread like wildfire through the post.