Miss Fotheringay laughed with all her heart: a wink of Foker's would set her off laughing, when the bitterest joke Bows ever made could not get a smile from her, or the finest of poor Pen's speeches would only puzzle her.

At the end of the harlequinade he sank down on one knee and kissed her hand.

"You're the drollest little man," she said, and gave him a great good-humoured slap.
Pen used to tremble as he kissed her hand.

Pen would have died of a slap.
These preliminaries over, the three began to talk; Mr.Foker amused his companions by recounting to them the scene which he had just witnessed of the discomfiture of Mr.Garbetts, by which they learned, for the first time, how far the General had carried his wrath against Major Pendennis.

Foker spoke strongly in favour of the Major's character for veracity and honour, and described him as a tip-top swell, moving in the upper-circle of society, who would never submit to any deceit--much more to deceive such a charming young woman as Miss Foth.
He touched delicately upon the delicate marriage question, though he couldn't help showing that he held Pen rather cheap.