`` Do . Tell her I 'm a respectable fellow with no violent bad habits and all that . I 'm in earnest , Peter . I want to make that girl 's acquaintance , and this seems the only way at present . I ca n't get off just now for a trip east . Explain all this , and use your cousinly influence in my behalf if you possess any . '' Peter grinned . `` It 's not the most graceful job in the world you are putting on me , Curtis , '' he said . `` I do n't mind owning up now that I was pretty far gone on Marian myself two years ago . It 's all over now , but it was bad while it lasted . Perhaps Marian will consider your request more favourably if I put it in the light of a favour to myself . She must feel that she owes me something for wrecking my life . '' Peter grinned again and looked at the one photo he had contrived to rescue from the fire . It was a pretty , snub-nosed little girl . She would never have consoled me for the loss of Marian Lindsay , but every man to his taste . In due time Peter sought me out to give me his cousin 's answer . `` Congratulations , Curtis . You 've out-Caesared Caesar . You 've conquered without even going and seeing . Marian agrees to a friendly correspondence with you .
I am amazed , I admit -- even though I did paint you up as a sort XXXXX Sir Galahad and Lancelot combined .
In at for if of that to while with without