Porcupine generally had an old friend with him, whom he had long known in the country, who had come to see the town, and who lodged in the same house. His name was Dobbin.
When Porcupine had made some advancement in the portrait, Lord Forestking and his friend, Sir Hyde, came one day to inspect it, attended by the ever meddling Mr. Munkey. His Lordship seated himself in a chair opposite the picture, and expressed himself very much satisfied with the likeness, declaring, that he never before knew that he was so handsome a fellow.
"The portrait is—ah—very well, and the painting is—ah—admirable," said Sir Hyde; "but do not you think—ah—that the nose is a leetle too long? and are you sure," addressing Porcupine, "that the left eye is not—ah—slightly awry?"
"I have not remarked it," returned Mr. Porcupine, meekly.
"The colouring is excellent; but—ah—'pon my honour, I never saw his Lordship wear a coat of that tint; and do not you think the hair is rayther darker than his Lordship's?"
"Perhaps," suggested Mr. Porcupine, "you would see it better in another light;" and he immediately moved the easel.
"Do you know," said Mr. Munkey to Mr. Dobbin—they were at the other end of the room—"Sir Hyde Jungle is esteemed one of our finest critics in the arts? He has visited most of the great Continental galleries, and can tell you the dimensions of every celebrated picture, and the exact spot on which it is hung."
"How can one individual be the possessor of so much learning!" said Dobbin. "I cannot even remember the dimensions of the common in my native village, though I have been round it often and often."
"Oh! Sir Hyde is, as you remark, a possessor of great learning. He studies anatomy too, and is very fond of dissecting all kinds of animals. I am told that no professor at St. Bartholomew's can do it more rapidly."
"What a wonderful individual!"