blind comprehended that s nature was not identical with hers and she feared the same in their loves as in their tastes yet so powerful was the charm which attracted her to that she felt a deep joy in thinking that he was about to become the guest of his master and the constant companion of her labors during the first days of his in the house of the old painter did not quit the he had begun a new sketch but he painted with difficulty � his nature over his feeble will he passed hours in looking at in replying to the words of the young girl by gestures of love he could find no other expressions for he had nothing in his soul she happy in seeing him conversed gaily in accents full of and vivacity she spoke art tenderness happiness she painted with more sentiment and enthusiasm love seemed to her powers whilst it had those of the young man did a direct and burning word of love escape from if it struck the heart of it did not draw forth a feeling expressed by a tender and respectful word the lips of the young man moved but it i i van april was a kiss that they would he inclined towards the young girl as if to embrace her loving yet fearful she then fled her heart was sad and humble and she wept saying he does not love me the old painter remarked with grief the strife of these two opposite natures which were at while seeking to approach each other he would have separated them forever but love by a strange called them t the house of david van was a calm a holy retreat where virtue secured peace and the arts that enthusiasm which and virtue the fortune which the old man had by his talent afforded him an honorable maintenance but no splendor none of that luxury which seeks to produce a fine outward effect at the expense of happiness and inward tranquillity david van s daughters were married he had no one but adopted child his dear and sometimes he thought in s good hours that he should be happy to unite them and die surrounded by their cares this dream was dissipated each day he who had caused it seemed to seek to destroy it the hospitality of the old painter seemed to he found at david s house a plentiful table but the strong to which he was accustomed and which him never appeared there at evening some distinguished men of the city some illustrious travellers some prince passing through came to visit the great painter they conversed they became interested in some question of art and never to turn the conversation did they have recourse to play that other bad passion all powerful in the soul of by s beauty on which he hung each day he resisted during several weeks the call of his habits but he could not conquer them be had no resolution he had finished a second picture it was not a like the first it was a work in which the hfe was wanting one evening he took away this picture and did not appear at supper feared some misfortune for him and wept his old master foresaw some fault and remained sad and silent it grew late they waited in vain for he did not come take courage my noble child said her master leaving van her this man is unworthy of thee and these words which struck her heart tortured her all the night she would have rejected an affection so deep and but she felt mastered by it and not being able to it she abandoned the attempt the following day david van went out to attend the french who had summoned him entered the deserted pale and life seemed to her sad and weary she recalled to mind sadly the time when she saw the days flow on for her so lightly and joyfully she stopped before the picture which she had finished the preceding evening it was a crown of orange flowers and white roses a crown destined for the daughter of madame de la for m de who was to marry the prince de although at war with their country louis xiv protected the dutch artists and had ordered this picture from van whose fame had reached even the court of france the young girl had done it with love for in tracing under her brush this virgin she thought involuntarily on the day when one similar should her pure brow upon an urn of chased gold had draped one of those magnificent of lace whose shadows also adorned a likeness of the bride her brush had given all the delicacy of the rich design of this precious fabric and upon this ornament she had gracefully placed the modest flowers which completed its each orange bud each rose in the crown had been to a long and precious labor her heart was bound up in this work she could not bear to part with it but the french claimed it a few days and it would be lost to her she wished to make a copy but her strength failed the tumultuous feelings which her soul disturbed the calmness requisite for those exquisite works of art she was still contemplating this crown which she had made under s eye and thinking on him when the door of the was suddenly thrown open he rushed towards her his hair in disorder his features bearing the stamp of despair dear he cried you alone can save me from and i come to you with confidence i have van april been separated from you one day from you my guardian angel and my evil life has me body and soul i have played i have lost i played upon honor and i should be abused trampled under foot if i 