twice-told tales- the prophetic pictures-第2章
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and now regarded the lovers with such a mild and holy look that they
longed to worship too。
〃How singular a thought；〃 observed Walter Ludlow； 〃that this
beautiful face has been beautiful for above two hundred years！ Oh；
if all beauty would endure so well！ Do you not envy her； Elinor？〃
〃If earth were heaven； I might；〃 she replied。 〃But where all things
fade； how miserable to be the one that could not fade！〃
〃This dark old St。 Peter has a fierce and ugly scowl； saint
though he be；〃 continued Walter。 〃He troubles me。 But the Virgin looks
kindly at us。〃
〃Yes； but very sorrowfully； methinks；〃 said Elinor。
The easel stood beneath these three old pictures； sustaining one
that had been recently commenced。 After a little inspection； they
began to recognize the features of their own minister； the Rev。 Dr。
Colman； growing into shape and life； as it were； out of a cloud。
〃Kind old man！〃 exclaimed Elinor。 〃He gazes at me as if he were
about to utter a word of paternal advice。〃
〃And at me；〃 said Walter； 〃as if he were about to shake his head
and rebuke me for some suspected iniquity。 But so does the original。 I
shall never feel quite comfortable under his eye till we stand
before him to be married。〃
They now heard a footstep on the floor； and turning； beheld the
painter； who had been some moments in the room； and had listened to
a few of their remarks。 He was a middle…aged man； with a countenance
well worthy of his own pencil。 Indeed； by the picturesque； though
careless arrangement of his rich dress； and； perhaps； because his soul
dwelt always among painted shapes； he looked somewhat like a
portrait himself。 His visitors were sensible of a kindred between
the artist and his works； and felt as if one of the pictures had
stepped from the canvas to salute them。
Walter Ludlow； who was slightly known to the painter； explained the
object of their visit。 While he spoke； a sunbeam was falling athwart
his figure and Elinor's； with so happy an effect that they also seemed
living pictures of youth and beauty； gladdened by bright fortune。
The artist was evidently struck。
〃My easel is occupied for several ensuing days； and my stay in
Boston must be brief；〃 said he； thoughtfully； then； after an observant
glance； he added： 〃but your wishes shall be gratified； though I
disappoint the Chief Justice and Madam Oliver。 I must not lose this
opportunity； for the sake of painting a few ells of broadcloth and
brocade。〃
The painter expressed a desire to introduce both their portraits
into one picture； and represent them engaged in some appropriate
action。 This plan would have delighted the lovers； but was necessarily
rejected； because so large a space of canvas would have been unfit for
the room which it was intended to decorate。 Two half…length
portraits were therefore fixed upon。 After they had taken leave；
Walter Ludlow asked Elinor； with a smile； whether she knew what an
influence over their fates the painter was about to acquire。
〃The old women of Boston affirm；〃 continued he； 〃that after he
has once got possession of a person's face and figure； he may paint
him in any act or situation whatever… and the picture will be
prophetic。 Do you believe it？〃
〃Not quite；〃 said Elinor； smiling。 〃Yet if he has such magic； there
is something so gentle in his manner that I am sure he will use it
well。〃
It was the painter's choice to proceed with both the portraits at
the same time； assigning as a reason； in the mystical language which
he sometimes used； that the faces threw light upon each other。
Accordingly he gave now a touch to Walter； and now to Elinor； and
the features of one and the other began to start forth so vividly that
it appeared as if his triumphant art would actually disengage them
from the canvas。 Amid the rich light and deep shade； they beheld their
phantom selves。 But； though the likeness promised to be perfect；
they were not quite satisfied with the expression； it seemed more
vague than in most of the painter's works。 He； however； was
satisfied with the prospect of success； and being much interested in
the lovers； employed his leisure moments； unknown to them； in making a
crayon sketch of their two figures。 During their sittings； he
engaged them in conversation； and kindled up their faces with
characteristic traits； which； though continually varying； it was his
purpose to combine and fix。 At length he announced that at their
next visit both the portraits would be ready for delivery。
〃If my pencil will but be true to my conception； in the few last
touches which I meditate；〃 observed he； 〃these two pictures will be my
very best performances。 Seldom； indeed； has an artist such subjects。〃
While speaking； he still bent his penetrative eye upon them； nor
withdrew it till they had reached the bottom of the stairs。
Nothing； in the whole circle of human vanities； takes stronger hold
of the imagination than this affair of having a portrait painted。
Yet why should it be so？ The looking…glass； the polished globes of the
andirons； the mirror…like water； and all other reflecting surfaces；
continually present us with portraits； or rather ghosts； of ourselves；
which we glance at； and straightway forget them。 But we forget them
only because they vanish。 It is the idea of duration… of earthly
immortality… that gives such a mysterious interest to our own
portraits。 Walter and Elinor were not insensible to this feeling；
and hastened to the painter's room； punctually at the appointed
hour； to meet those pictured shapes which were to be their
representatives with posterity。 The sunshine flashed after them into
the apartment； but left it somewhat gloomy as they closed the door。
Their eyes were immediately attracted to their portraits； which
rested against the farthest wall of the room。 At the first glance；
through the dim light and the distance； seeing themselves in precisely
their natural attitudes； and with all the air that they recognized
so well； they uttered a simultaneous exclamation of delight。
〃There we stand；〃 cried Walter； enthusiastically； 〃fixed in
sunshine forever！ No dark passions can gather on our faces！〃
〃No；〃 said Elinor； more calmly； 〃no dreary change can sadden us。〃
This was said while they were approaching； and had yet gained
only an imperfect view of the pictures。 The painter； after saluting
them； busied himself at a table in completing a crayon sketch； leaving
his visitors to form their own judgment as to his perfected labors。 At
intervals； he sent a glance from beneath his deep eyebrows； watching
their countenances in profile； with his pencil suspended over the
sketch。 They had now stood some moments； each in front of the
other's picture； contemplating it with entranced attention； but
without uttering a word。 At length； Walter stepped forward… then back…
viewing Elinor's portrait in various lights； and finally spoke。
〃Is there not a change？〃 said he； in a doubtful and meditative
tone。 〃Yes； the perception of it grows more vivid the longer I look。
It is certainly the same picture that I saw yesterday； the dress…
the features… all are the same； and yet something is altered。〃
〃Is then the picture less like than it was yesterday？〃 inquired the
painter； now drawing near； with irrepressible interest。
〃The features are perfect； Elinor；〃 answered Walter； 〃and； at the
first glance； the expression seemed also hers。 But； I could fancy that
the portrait has changed countenance； while I have been looking at it。
The eyes are fixed on mine with a strangely sad and anxious
expression。 Nay； it is grief and terror！ Is this like Elinor？〃
〃Compare the living face with the pictured one；〃 said the painter。
Walter glanced sidelong at his mistress； and started。 Motionless
and absorbed… fascinated； as it were… in contemplation of Walter's
portrait； Elinor's face had assumed precisely the expression of
which he had just been complaining。 Had she practised for whole
hours before a mirror； she could not have caught the look so
successfully。 Had the picture itself bee
