Page:Robert William Cole - The Struggle for Empire; A Story of the Year 2236 (1900).djvu/92

80 appeared anchored in lines within a few yards of the ground. The latter fired a salute as soon as the fleet from the earth had come to a stop.

A rest of twenty-four hours was allowed before the combined fleets plunged into space, so most of the men had leave to go on shore, or, rather, on planet, for a few hours. The admirals and their staffs paid ceremonial visits to the great men of the city, and a state ball was given that night in their honour. The streets were filled with brilliant uniforms and all the clash and noise of naval and military panoply. The great ballrooms were aglow with colour and beauty, the lights of the chandeliers scintillated from gold lace, orders, and military insignia.

Alas! if they could only have foreseen what But never mind; it must wait for