'No.' 'Charming woman, Sir,' said the Major, with a fat laugh rising in his short throat, and nearly suffocating him.
'Miss Tox is a very good sort of person, I believe,' replied Mr Dombey.
The haughty coldness of the reply seemed to afford Major Bagstock infinite delight.

He swelled and swelled, exceedingly: and even laid down his knife and fork for a moment, to rub his hands.
'Old Joe, Sir,' said the Major, 'was a bit of a favourite in that quarter once.

But Joe has had his day.

J.Bagstock is extinguished--outrivalled--floored, Sir.' 'I should have supposed,' Mr Dombey replied, 'that the lady's day for favourites was over: but perhaps you are jesting, Major.' 'Perhaps you are jesting, Dombey ?' was the Major's rejoinder.
There never was a more unlikely possibility.

It was so clearly expressed in Mr Dombey's face, that the Major apologised.
'I beg your pardon,' he said.