“No,” said the Doctor, peremptorily, “you must really excuse me. This is a professional point. If I allow erroneous explanations of the muscular system to pass unchecked in my presence--” “I don’t want to make any!” cried Mr. Blyth, gesticulating violently in the direction of Columbus. “I only want to--” “To describe the use of a muscle before you describe the place of its origin in the human body,” persisted the Doctor. “No, my dear sir! I can’t sanction it. No, indeed! I really _can_ NOT sanction it!” “Will you let me say two words?” asked Valentine. “Two hundred thousand, my good sir, on any other subject,” assented the Doctor, with a sarcastic smile; “but on _this_ subject--” “On art?” shouted Mr. Blyth, with a tap on Columbus, which struck a sound from the canvas like a thump on a muffled drum. “On art, Doctor? I only want to say that, as Columbus’s early life must have exercised him considerably in hauling ropes and pulling oars, I have shown the large development of his _Biceps_ muscle (which is principally used in those actions) through his sleeves, as a good characteristic point to insist on in his physical formation.--That’s all! As to the origin--” “The origin of the _Biceps Flexor Cubiti,_ your Ladyship,” resumed the pertinacious Doctor; “is by two heads. The first begins, if I may so express myself, _tendinous,_ from the glenoid cavity of the scapula--” “That man is a pedantic jackass,” whispered Mr. Hemlock to his friend. “And yet he hasn’t a bad head for a bust!” rejoined Mr. Bullivant. “Pray, Mr. Blyth,” pleaded the polite and ever-admiring Mr. Gimble--“pray let me beg you, in the name of the company to proceed with your most interesting and suggestive explanations and views on art!” “Indeed, Mr. Gimble,” said Valentine, a little crest-fallen under the anatomical castigation inflicted on him by the Doctor, “I am very much delighted and gratified by your approval; but I have nothing more to read. I thought that point about Columbus a good point to leave off with, and considered that I might safely allow the rest of the picture to explain itself to the intelligent spectator.” Hearing this, some of the spectators, evidently distrusting their own intelligence, rose to take leave--new visitors making their appearance, however, to fill the vacant chairs and receive Mr. Blyth’s hearty welcome. Meanwhile, through all the bustle of departing and arriving friends, and through all the fast-strengthening hum of general talk, the voice of the unyielding doctor still murmured solemnly of “capsular ligaments,” “adjacent tendons,” and “corracoid processes” to Lady Brambledown, who listened to him with satirical curiosity, as a species of polite medical buffoon whom it rather amused her to become acquainted with. Among the next applicants for admission at the painting-room door were two whom Valentine had expected to see at a much earlier period of the day--Mr. Matthew Marksman and Zack.