_The Eld. L._ Oh, it's too early yet. Look at that poor hunted stag jumping over a dining-room table, and upsetting the glasses and things. I suppose that's LANDSEER--no, I see it's some one of the name of SNYDERS. I expect he got the _idea_ from LANDSEER, though, don't you? _Her Comp._ Very likely indeed, dear; but (_pursuing her original train of thought_) you get rather nice tea at some of these aërated bread-shops; so perhaps if we waited--(_&c., &c._) IN GALLERY NO. III. _Two Pretty Nieces with an Elderly Uncle_ (_coming to "Apollo and Marsyas," by Tintoretto_). What was the _story_ of Apollo and Marsyas, Uncle? _The Uncle_. Apollo? Oh, come, you've heard of _him_, the--er--Sun-God, Phoebus-Apollo, and all that? _His Nieces_. Oh, yes, we know all _that_; but who was Marsyas, and what does the Catalogue mean by "Athena and three Umpires?" _The Uncle_. Oh--er--hum! Didn't they teach you all that at school? Well they _ought_ to have, that's all? Where's your Aunt--where's your Aunt? _Mr. Ernest Stodgely_ (_before the Portrait of the Marchesa Isabella Grimaldi_). There, FLOSSIE, don't you feel the greatness of that now? I'm curious to know how it impresses you! _Miss Featherhead_. Well, I rather like her frock, ERNEST. How funny to think aigrettes were worn so long ago, when they've just gone out _again_, don't you know. It must have been difficult to kiss a person across one of those enormous ruffs, though, don't you think? IN GALLERY NO. IV. _Mr. Schohorff_ (_loudly_). Ah, _that's_ a picture I know well; seen it many a time in the Octagon Boudoir at dear old HATCHMENT's. But it looks better lighted up. I remember the last time I was down there they told me they'd been asked to lend it, but the Countess didn't seem to think (_&c., &c._). _Mrs. Frivell_ (_before "Death of Dido," by Liberale da Verona_). Why is she standing on that pile of furniture in the courtyard, though? _Mr. F._ Because Æneas had jilted her, and so she stabbed herself on a funeral pyre after setting fire to it, you see. _Mrs. F._ (_disapprovingly_). How _very_ odd. I thought they only did that in India. But who are all those people looking-on? _Mr. F._ Smart people of the period, my dear. Of course Dido would send out invitations for a big function like that--Wind-up of the season--Farewell Reception--sure to be a tremendous rush for cards. Notice the evident enjoyment of the guests. They are depicted in the act of remarking to one another that their hostess is doing all in _her_ power to make the thing go off well. Keen observer of human nature, old LIBERALE! _Mrs. F._ Selfish creatures! IN THE VESTIBULE. _Mrs. Townley-Ratton_ (_about to leave with her husband, encounters her cousins, the Miss RURAL-RATTONS, who have just arrived_). Why, SOPHY, MARY! _how_ are you? this is _too_ delightful! When _did_ you come up? How long are you going to be in town? _When_ can you come and see me?