_The Porter_--Yes, Monsieur. [_Enter Vatel_.]

_Poirier_--Go, François. [_Exit Porter_.] Come in, Monsieur Vatel: you
are getting up a big dinner for to-morrow?

_Vatel_--Yes, Monsieur, and I venture to say that the menu would not be
disowned by my illustrious ancestor himself. It is really a work of art,
and Monsieur Poirier will be astonished.

_Poirier_--Have you the menu with you?

_Vatel_--No, Monsieur, it is being copied; but I know it by heart.

_Poirier_--Then recite it to me.

_Vatel_--Le potage aux ravioles à l'Italienne et le potage à l'orge à la
Marie Stuart.

_Poirier_--You will replace these unknown concoctions by a good meat
soup, with some vegetables on a plate.

_Vatel_--What, Monsieur?

_Poirier_--I mean it. Go on.

_Vatel_--Relevé. La carpe du Rhin à la Lithuanienne, les poulardes à la
Godard--le filet de boeuf braisé aux raisins à la Napolitaine, le jambon
de Westphalie, rotie madère.

_Poirier_--Here is a simpler and far more sensible fish course: brill