Can you fancy it?
A succession of adventures, so much glory, such a victorious progress! and the deep sense of his sagacity crowning every day of his inner life.

He forgot himself; his eyes shone; and with every word my heart, searched by the light of his absurdity, was growing heavier in my breast.

I had no mind to laugh, and lest I should smile I made for myself a stolid face.

He gave signs of irritation.
'"It is always the unexpected that happens," I said in a propitiatory tone.

My obtuseness provoked him into a contemptuous "Pshaw!" I suppose he meant that the unexpected couldn't touch him; nothing less than the unconceivable itself could get over his perfect state of preparation.