has a very good
history. First it belonged to Ricketts, then to Rothenstein, then Wilson
Steer, and then to the Carfax Gallery, and . . . then it came into my
possession, and all that in three months. (_Bargain concluded_.)

MR. PFFUNGST (_aside_). But is there any evidence that it belonged to
Gainsborough?

SIR HUGH P. LANE (_turning to a titled lady_). Oh, do come to tea next
Saturday. I want to show you my new Titian which I _have just bought
for_ 2100_l_.

TITLED LADY. Sir Hugh, _can_ you tell me who Mrs. Dubedat is now?

SIR HUGH P. LANE. Oh, yes. She married Dr. Schutzmacher, the specialist
on bigamy only this morning.

TITLED LADY. How interesting. I should like to meet her. Dresses
divinely, I'm told.

SIR HUGH P. LANE. She's coming to tea next Saturday; such good tea, too!

TITLED LADY. That will be delightful.

ST. JOHN HANKIN (_loftily_). Can you tell me whether this charmian
artist is pronounced Dubedat or Dubedat?

W. P. KER (_in deep Scotch_). Non Dubitat. (_He does not speak again_.)

P. G. KONODY. Oh, Mr. Phillips, do tell me _exactly_ what _you_ think of
this artist!

CLAUDE PHILLIPS. I think he wanted a good smacking.

P. G. KONODY. Ah, yes, his art _has_ a smack about it. (_Aside_.) Good
heading for the _Daily Mail_, 'Art with a smack.' (_Writes in
catalogue_.)

WILL ROTHENSTEIN. When I see pictures of this kind, my dear Gersaint,
they seem to me to explain your existence. An artist without a
conscience . . . (_Sees_ ROGER FRY.) My dear Fry, what are _you_ doing
here? Buying for New York? (_Laughs meaningly_.)

ROGER FRY. Oh, no; but I hear Gersaint has a very fine picture by the
Maitresse of the Moulin Rouge. Weale says it is School of Gheel
(_pronounced Kail_).

WILL ROTHENSTEIN. Kail Yard I should think; do look at these things.

ROGER FRY (_vaguely_). Who are they by? Oh, yes, Dubedat, of course.

[FRY _and_ ROTHENSTEIN _regard picture with disdain_; _it withers under
their glance_. _Stage illusion by_ MASKELYNE _and_ THEODORE COOK.
STEPNEY _places a red star on it_.

GERSAINT. Well, Mr. Bowyer Nichols, I hope we shall have a good long
notice in the _Westminster Gazette_. Now if there is any drawing . . .

BOWYER NICHOLS (_very stiffly_). No, there isn't. I don't think the
Exhibition sufficiently important; everything seems to me cribbed: most
of the pictures look like reproductions of John, Orpen or Neville Lytton.

GERSAINT. Ah, no do