Monsieur D'A--looked very ill-pleased, and poor Monsieur de G--thought that somehow or other his romance writing was called into question.

In order to soothe them, I introduced some subject which permitted a little national flattery; the conversation then turned insensibly on the character of the French people.
"Never," said Vincent, "has there been a character more often described--never one less understood.

You have been termed superficial.
I think, of all people, that you least deserve the accusation.

With regard to the few, your philosophers, your mathematicians, your men of science, are consulted by those of other nations, as some of their profoundest authorities.

With regard to the many, the charge is still more unfounded.