J. STEPNEY.  I thought all the pictures had been bought by Dr. Schutzmacher.

GERSAINT.  So they were, my boy, but he has wired saying they are all to be put up for sale at double the price; capital business, you see we shall get two commissions.

J. STEPNEY.  Yes, sir.  It is fortunate Mrs. Dubedat did not have the prices marked in the Catalogue.

GERSAINT.  You mean Mrs. Schutzmacher. (Drives in last nail).

J. STEPNEY.  Yes, sir.

Enter a striking-looking-man, not unlike a Holbein drawing, at a distance:  but on nearer inspection, as he comes within range of the footlights, he is more like an Isaac Oliver or Nicholas Lucidel.  He examines the notice and sniffs.

S.L.M.N.U.H.D.  Which are the works of Art?

EDMUND GOSSE.  Can you tell me who that is?  He is one of the few people I don’t know by sight.  A celebrity of course; and do point out any obscurities.  Every one is so distinguished.  It is rather confusing.

GERSAINT.  That is the Holland Park Wonder, so-called because he lives at the top of a tower in Holland Park—­the greatest Art Connoisseur in England.  Mr. Charles Ricketts, the greatest—­

EDMUND GOSSE.  Thank you; thank you.

MR. FREDERICK WEDMORE (interrupting).  Can you tell me whether the frames are included in the prices of the pictures?

J. STEPNEY.  No, sir.  They are stock frames, the property of the Gallery, and are only lent for the occasion.

MR. FREDERICK WEDMORE.  Then I fear I cannot buy; a naked picture without a frame is useless to me.

CHARLES RICKETTS.  Do you think I could buy a frame without a picture?

JOSEPH PENNELL.  I say Ricketts, it seems a beastly shame we didn’t get this show for the International.  It would have been good ‘ad.’  What’s the use of Backers?  I see they’re selling well.

CHARLES RICKETTS.  But, my dear Pennell, you’re doing the Life, aren’t you?—­the real Dubedat?

JOSEPH PENNELL.  Oh, yes, but the family have injuncted Heinemann from publishing the letters:  Mr. Justice Kekewich will probably change his opinion when the weather gets warmer.  It is only an interim injunction.

CHARLES RICKETTS.  A sort of Clapham Injunction.

SIR WILLIAM RICHMOND, K.C.B., R.A.  If I had known what a stupendous genius Dubedat was, I should have given him part of the ‘New Bailey’ to decorate.

D. S. MACCOLL.  Let us be thankful he’s as dead as Bill Bailey.

SIR CHARLES HOLROYD (smoothing things over).  I think we ought to have an example for the Tate. (MACCOLL winces.) The Chantrey Bequest—­(MACCOLL winces again)—­might do something; and I must write to Lord Balcarres.  The National Arts Collections Fund may have something over from the subscriptions to the Rokeby Velasquez; but I want to see what Colvin is going to choose for the British Museum.