‘It merely crossed my mind, sir, that for a gentleman of your description Miss Wickham is not a suitable mate.’

‘What do you mean by a gentleman of my description?’

'Well, sir –’

'Jeeves!’

'I beg your pardon, sir. The expression escaped me inadvertently. I was about to observe that I can only asseverate –’

'Only what?’

'I can only say that, as you have invited my opinion –’

'But I didn’t.’

'I was under the impression that you desired to canvass my views on the matter, sir.