half past ten
Time and again during the recent campaign the veteran soldier now in command had shown marked liking for this energetic young officer . Then came the march to the settlements , and sudden , unaccountable change . Twice or thrice within the past ten days he had shown singular coldness and disfavor ; to-night strong and sudden dislike , and Lanier , amazed and stung , could only salute and turn away . Everybody by half past ten had heard of it , and most men marvelled . Nobody at eleven o'clock was very much surprised when , in the midst of the lovely Lorelei waltz of Keler Bela , a group of young maids , matrons , and officers near the doorway opened out , as it were , and Bob Lanier , officer-of-the-guard , came gracefully gliding and circling down the room , Miriam Arnold 's radiant , happy face looking up into his . It was a joy to watch them dance together , but not to watch the colonel 's face when he caught sight of them . Except Lanier , every officer present was in full uniform , without his sabre .