"You've named her," replied Belle quietly. "Dan's new friend is beyond any doubt a lady." "Then Dan is safe, at last." "I'm not so sure of that," Belle answered. "But, if she's really a lady, she must be safe company for Dan." Belle smiled queerly before she responded: "I'm afraid Dan is in for a tremendous disappointment." "In the lady's character?" pressed Darrin. "Oh, indeed, no." "Wait and see." "But I'd rather know now." "I'll tell you what I mean before you say good-bye this afternoon," Belle promised. "By Jove, but I am afraid that is going to be too late," murmured Midshipman Darrin. "Unless I'm greatly misled as to the meaning of the light that has suddenly come into Danny's eyes, he's proposing to her now!" "Oh!" gasped Belle, and the small spoonful of cream that was passing down her throat threatened to strangle her. "Dave, how old do you think Miss Henshaw is?" asked Miss Meade, as soon as she could trust herself to speak. "Twenty, I suppose." "You don't know much about women's ages, then, do you?" smiled Belle. "I don't suppose I've any business to know." "Miss Henshaw is a good many years older than Dan." "She doesn't look it," urged Dave. "But she is. Trust another woman to know!" "There, by Jove!" whispered Dave. "It has started. Danny is running under the wire! I can tell by his face that he has just started to propose." "Poor boy! He'll have an awful fall!" muttered Belle. "Why do you say that? But, say! You're right, Belle. Dan's face has turned positively ghastly. He looks worse than he could if he'd just failed to graduate." "Naturally," murmured Belle. "Poor boy, I'm sorry for him." "But what's the matter?" "Did you notice Miss Henshaw's jewelry?" "Not particularly. I can see, from here, that she's wearing a small diamond in each ear." "Dave, didn't you see the flat gold band that she wears on the third finger of her left hand?" Belle demanded in a whisper. "No," confessed Midshipman Darrin innocently. "But what has that to do with---" "Her wedding ring," Belle broke in. "Dan has gotten her title twisted. She's Mrs. Henshaw." "Whew! But what, in that case, is she doing strolling around with a midshipman? That's no proper business for a married woman," protested Dave Darrin. "Haven't you called on or escorted any married women since you've been at Annapolis?" demanded Belle bluntly. "Yes; certainly," nodded Dave. "But, in every instance they were wives of Naval officers, and such women looked upon midshipmen as mere little boys." "Isn't there an Admiral Henshaw in the Navy?" inquired Belle. "Certainly." "That's Mrs. Henshaw," Belle continued. "How do you know?"