“Mr. Peel bowed in acquiescence.
“‘That’s Bushe!’ said Denis, giving at the same time the same sound to the vowel, u, as it obtains when occurring in the word ‘rush.’
“‘I beg pardon,’ said Mr. Peel, ‘I did not hear.’
“‘Bushe!’ replied Denis, with considerable energy of tone.
“‘Oh, yes! I know,’ said the secretary, ‘Mr. Bushe, a very distinguished member of your bar, I have heard.’
“‘Faith, you may say that!’ said Denis, tossing off his wine at what he esteemed a very trite observation.
“‘Pray,’ said Mr. Peel, again returning to the charge, though certainly feeling not a little surprised at the singular laconicism of his informant, no less than the mellifluous tones of an accent then perfectly new to him. ‘Pray, may I ask, what is the peculiar character of Mr. Bushe’s eloquence? I mean of course, in his professional capacity.’
“‘Eh!’ said Denis, ‘I don’t comprehend you exactly.’
“‘I mean,’ said Mr. Peel, ‘in one word, what’s his forte?’
“‘His forte!’