The Gallery is crowded, and there is the peculiar buzz in the air that denotes popular interest and curiosity.  The majority of the visitors are of the feminine sex, and appear to have come up from semi-detached villas in the less fashionable suburbs; but there is also a sprinkling of smart and Superior Persons, prosperous City Merchants, who regard pictures with respect, as a paying investment, young Commercial Men, whose feeling for Art is not precisely passionate, but who have turned in to pass the time, and because the Exhibition is gratuitous, earnest Youths with long hair, soft hats, and caped ulsters, &c., &c.

BEFORE DELAROCHE’S “DROWNED MARTYR.”

[Illustration:  “Earnest youths with long hair.”]

First Villa Resident (appreciatively).  Such a death-like expression, isn’t it?

Second Ditto, Ditto.  Yes, indeed!  And how beautifully her halo’s done!

Third Ditto, Ditto.  Will those two men on the bank be the executioners, should you think?

Fourth Ditto, Ditto (doubtfully).  It says in the Catalogue that they’re two Christians.

An Intelligent Child.  Then why don’t they jump in and pull her out, Mother? [The Child is reproved.

A Languid Young Lady.  Is that intended for Opheliah?

    [The rest regard her with shocked disapproval, mingled with
    pity, before passing on.

BEFORE HOLL’S “FATHERLESS FAMILY.”

First Matter-of-Fact Person.  They’re just come back from the funeral, I expect.

Second Ditto, Ditto.  I shouldn’t wonder. (Feels bound to show that she too can be observant.) Yes, they’re all in mourning—­even the servant.  Do you see the black ribbon in her cap?  I do like that.

An Irrelevant Person.  It’s just a little melancholy, though, don’t you think?—­which reminds me—­how much did you say that jet trimming was a yard—­nine pence three-farthings?

Her Friend.  Nine pence halfpenny at the shop in St. Paul’s Churchyard.  The child has her frock open at the top behind, you see—­evidently a poor family!

The I.P. Yes, and the workbasket with the reels of cotton and all. (Looking suddenly down.) Don’t you call this a handsome carpet?

A Frivolous Frenchman (fresh from ‘The Casual Ward’ and ’The Martyr’ to his companion).  Tenez, mon cher, encore des choses gaies!

    [He passes on with a shrug.]

A Good Young Man with a train of three Maiden Aunts in tow (halting them before a picture of SIR J. NOEL PATON’s).  Now you ought to look at this one.

    [They inspect it with docility.  It represents a Knight in
    armour riding through a forest and surrounded by seductive
    Wood-nymphs.