But Major Fitz-David's admiration rose from one climax to another with such alarming rapidity that I felt the importance of administering a practical check to it.

I trusted to those ominous words, "a favor to ask of you," to administer the check, and I did not trust in vain.

My aged admirer gently dropped my hand, and, with all possible politeness, changed the subject.
"The favor is granted, of course!" he said.

"And now, tell me, how is our dear Eustace ?" "Anxious and out of spirits." I answered.
"Anxious and out of spirits!" repeated the Major.

"The enviable man who is married to You anxious and out of spirits?
Monstrous! Eustace fairly disgusts me.