"A person who has grown very rich in some sort of trade. He was a protegé of a relation of mine."
"And you bear with his eccentricities in hopes of his succession?"
"Exactly."
"I minds the getting of the whole lot on 'em. I can give you the birth, parentage, and edication, of every one on 'em."
"Of the pictures, sir?" enquired Mr Tinter, taking out his note-book. "I shall be delighted with any information."
"But where is the gallery, Mr Howard?" enquired Mrs Rayleigh.
"Why, madam, many of the pictures—in fact, all the best of them are in London at the cleaner's; but in the passage to the Conservatory there are some remaining, but the place is dark. I hope you'll rather look at them some other time."
"Now's the best," said Mr Roe, starting up. "Let's see the family picters, Gus."
Mr Howard was forced by the entreaties of all the party, and led the way to the passage where his pictures were hung, followed by Mrs Rayleigh and her two daughters, and Mr Tinter, Mr Roe, and Fanny, and Aunt Susannah.
"That seems a portrait of Queen Anne's time," said Mr Tinter, pointing to a much bewigged old gentleman in an antique frame. "Pray, what is its history?"