The page numbers are from “Lord Peter” published by Harper & Row. The excerpts are copyrighted 1972 by Harper & Row.
154 ~ guard’s van
The last car of the train, where the guards sit and watch the world go by. In the U.S., it is called the caboose.
Invalides
Les Invalides is a collection of buildings in Paris that include a hospital for war veterans, museums, and tombs of notable French military leaders, led of course, by Napoleon.
premieres
The prime, first-rate car, equivalent to traveling by air in first class.
156 ~ Chemin de Fer de l’Ouest
An early French railway company, also known as L’Ouest or Ouest. Wikipedia has a history of the company.
Grande Vitesse
“Great Speed”
Grande Paresse
“Great Idleness”
lampisterie
Mon Souci
“My Concern”
157 ~ jalousies
shutters
merveilleuse
marval
Directoire
A neoclassical style of dress, furniture, and ornament popular in France during the period of the Directory (1795-99) during the French Revolution.
“The hoist with his own petard touch”
A reference to “Hamlet”, Act III, Scene 4: “For ’tis sport to have the engineer/ Hoist with his own petard.” A petard is a small, bell-shaped bomb used during seiges against walls. The Straight Dope, that fount of all information, describes what a petard is and how to be hoisted by it.
158 ~ armoire normande
A tall piece of furniture in which clothing and linens may be stored.
permis de sejour
A residence permit, entitling one to live temporarily in France.
159 ~ “Quite a little boom in Richmonds today”
Lord Peter is never content to repeat literary allusions. In this case, the common phrase was “two Richmonds in the field,” suggesting that someone is confused, and it’s a reference to “Richard III,” Act 5, Scene 4, when during the battle Richard is urge to flee and he replies:
Slave, I have set my life upon a cast,
And I will stand the hazard of the die.
I think there be six Richmonds in the field;
Five have I slain today instead of him.
A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!
(Thanks to Mary E. Butler for the addition.)
162 ~ “In vino veritas”
A classical Latin expression: “In wine, there is truth.”
163 ~ “Chateau Yquem, 1911 – ah! The queen of white wines, sir, as what’s-his-name says.”
Wine from the Sauternes region of France. Wikipedia mentions that “in a good year, a bottle will only begin to show its qualities after a decade or two of cellaring and with proper care, will keep for a century or more, gradually adding layers of taste and hitherto undetected fruity overtones.” The person who tagged the wine with royalty wasn’t identified, but it is known that it is a favorite of Queen Elizabeth.
164 ~ consomme marmite
A very strong soup made from beef stock.
confitures
A jam confection or preserve.
165 ~ poulet
chicken
pre-sale
Also known as salt marsh lamb, a highly regarded lamb from the French coast overlooking the English Channel.