"Can't you give us a few minutes more, Miss Fotheringay?
Before you leave us, permit an old fellow to shake you by the hand, and believe that I am proud to have had the honour of making your acquaintance, and am most sincerely anxious to be your friend." Miss Fotheringay made a low curtsey at the conclusion of this gallant speech, and the Major followed her retreating steps to the door, where he squeezed her hand with the kindest and most paternal pressure.

Bows was puzzled with this exhibition of cordiality: "The lad's relatives can't be really wanting to marry him to her," he thought--and so they departed.
"Now for it," thought Major Pendennis; and as for Mr.Costigan he profited instantaneously by his daughter's absence to drink up the rest of the wine; and tossed off one bumper after another of the Madeira from the Grapes, with an eager shaking hand.

The Major came up to the table, and took up his glass and drained it with a jovial smack.

If it had been Lord Steyne's particular, and not public-house Cape, he could not have appeared to relish it more.
"Capital Madeira, Captain Costigan," he said.

"Where do you get it?
I drink the health of that charming creature in a bumper.