"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. Faith, Captain, I
don't wonder that the men are wild about her. I never saw such eyes in my
life, or such a grand manner. I am sure she is as intellectual as she is
beautiful; and I have no doubt she's as good as she is clever."
"A good girl, sir,--a good girl, sir," said the delighted father; "and I
pledge a toast to her with all my heart. Shall I send to the--to the
cellar for another pint? It's handy by. No? Well, indeed sir, ye may say
she is a good girl, and the pride and glory of her father--honest old
Jack Costigan.
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