“The Constitution Britannique,” Mr. Podsnap explained, as if he were teaching in an infant school. “We Say British, But You Say Britannique, You Know,” (forgivingly, as if that were not his fault). “The Constitution, Sir.”

The foreign gentleman said, “ Mais , yees; I know eem.”

A youngish sallowish gentleman in spectacles, with a lumpy forehead, seated in a supplementary chair at a corner of the table, here caused a profound sensation by saying, in a raised voice, “ Esker ,” and then stopping dead.

“ Mais oui ,” said the foreign gentleman, turning towards him. “ Est-ce que? Quoi donc? ”