two o'clock in the morning
Broussard did not in the least remember what he said to Anita when he was putting her cap on her head , nor even the words in which she had replied ; he only knew that they were burning words that came from the heart and spoke through the eyes as well as the tongue . But a man was not always master of himself . Broussard had a good many plausible excuses to urge for himself , and was always a good barker for Victor Broussard , and Anita was so charming , she had so much more sense than the average seventeen-year-old fledgling , she was so obviously more developed mentally and emotionally for her age , she had grown up in an atmosphere of tenderness and happiness , for everybody knew that the Colonel and Mrs. Fortescue were still like lovers , after twenty years of married life . Broussard fell into a delicious reverie that lasted until he heard the clang of the changing sentries at two o'clock in the morning . The Christmas gaieties went on for a fortnight , including another big ball given by the officers . Colonel Fortescue brought upon himself many maledictions from the junior officers by the way in which he regulated these balls . The Colonel was neither bashful nor backward with his young officers , and he liked them to dance , bearing in mind the saying of a great commander that a part of every soldier 's equipment is gaiety of heart ; but he was grimly particular about the kind of dancing that took place at Fort Blizzard .